'Sterilize' definitions:
Definition of 'sterilize'
From: WordNet
verb
Make free from bacteria [syn: sterilize, sterilise]
verb
Make infertile; "in some countries, people with genetically transmissible disabilites are sterilized" [syn: sterilize, sterilise, desex, unsex, desexualize, desexualise, fix]
Definition of 'Sterilize'
From: GCIDE
- Sterilize \Ster"il*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sterilized; p. pr. & vb. n. Sterilizing.] [Cf. F. st['e]riliser.]
- 1. To make sterile or unproductive; to impoverish, as land; to exhaust of fertility. [R.] "Sterilizing the earth." --Woodward. [1913 Webster]
- 2. (Biol.) To deprive of the power of reproducing; to render incapable of germination or fecundation; to make sterile.
- 3. (Microbiology, Medicine) To destroy all spores or germs in (an organic fluid or mixture) or on (a medical instrument), as by heat, so as to prevent contamination by bacteria or other organisms. A common method of sterilization in laboratories and medical facilities is to heat a liquid sample or an instrument in an autoclave. [1913 Webster +PJC]
- 4. To destroy all spores or germs on (a surface) by wetting with an antiseptic liquid, such as an alcoholic solution. [PJC]
Synonyms of 'sterilize'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- alter,
- antisepticize,
- autoclave,
- boil,
- castrate,
- change,
- chlorinate,
- clean,
- cleanse,
- decontaminate,
- delouse,
- demasculinize,
- depurate,
- desex,
- desexualize,
- devitalize,
- disinfect,
- effeminize,
- emasculate,
- enervate,
- etiolate,
- exhaust,
- fix,
- fumigate,
- geld,
- hygienize,
- mutilate,
- neuter,
- pasteurize,
- purify,
- sanitate,
- sanitize,
- spay,
- unman,
- unnerve,
- unsex