disinfect
Disinfect (verb) means to clean something thoroughly enough to kill the germs on it. Example: “Nurses disinfect the equipment between patients.”
How to use disinfect
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo kill germs on a surface or object using a cleaning product.
Disinfecting kills most germs; sterilizing kills essentially all of them — the words aren't perfectly interchangeable in medical contexts.
Word forms
disinfected past tense, disinfects singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Nurses _____ the equipment between patients.
Etymology
From dis- ("undo") plus infect, echoing the French désinfecter — literally "to remove infection from."
Rhymes for disinfect
See all rhymes for disinfect →Frequently asked questions
What does “disinfect” mean?
The word “disinfect” means to clean something thoroughly enough to kill the germs on it. In plain terms, to kill germs on a surface or object using a cleaning product.
How do you pronounce “disinfect”?
“Disinfect” is pronounced dihs-ihn-FEHKT (/dɪs.ɪnˈfɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “disinfect” in a sentence?
Here is “disinfect” used in a sentence: “Nurses disinfect the equipment between patients.”
What part of speech is “disinfect”?
“Disinfect” is a verb.
Where does the word “disinfect” come from?
The word “disinfect” comes from French. From dis- ("undo") plus infect, echoing the French désinfecter — literally "to remove infection from.".