sterilization
/ˌstɛrɪləˈzeɪʃən/ · ster·i·li·za·tion
noun
- The process of treating an object or surface to kill or inactivate all microorganisms. The hospital uses autoclaves for the sterilization of surgical instruments.
- A procedure that permanently prevents an organism from reproducing, typically by removing or disabling its reproductive organs. The clinic performed sterilization on the stray cats to control the population.
- An instance of carrying out a sterilization procedure. Today's sterilizations included the sterilization of the lab equipment and the sterilization of the operating room.
Synonyms
disinfectionsanitizationasepsissterilisationdecontaminationpurificationgermicidal treatmentantisepsis
Antonyms
Did you know? The first widely recorded use of sterilization in a medical context was by Joseph Lister in the 1860s, who introduced carbolic acid to sterilize surgical tools and reduce postoperative infections.