verb
sterilize
STEH-rih-lyz
verb
1
To destroy all germs and microorganisms on or in something.
"Always sterilize baby bottles before the first use."
"The clinic sterilizes its tools between every patient."
2
To perform a procedure that permanently prevents a person or animal from reproducing.
"The shelter sterilizes all animals before they're adopted out."
How to Use Sterilize
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make completely germ-free, or to permanently remove the ability to reproduce.
Common pairings
sterilize equipment
sterilize an animal
Word Forms
sterilized past tense, sterilizes singular
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Etymology
From sterile plus the verb-forming suffix -ize.