disinfect
verb
dis·in·fect
ˌdis-in-ˈfekt 
disinfected; disinfecting; disinfects
1
: to cleanse (a surface, a device, a supply of water, etc.) by destroying, inactivating, or significantly reducing the concentration of pathogenic agents (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) : to treat (something) with a disinfectant (such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, or sodium hypochlorite)
… medical experts say some scopes can be difficult to disinfect through conventional cleaning because of their design, so bacteria are transmitted from patient to patient.—
Chad Terhune
Chad TerhuneTrihalomethanes are chemicals formed when chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with organic matter, such as animal waste, treated sewage, leaves, or soil.—Emily Main
Emily MainClean your humidifier often. Although some parts may be washable in the dishwasher, they still need to be descaled with vinegar and disinfected with bleach.—Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports2
: to relieve (something) of some undesirable quality likened to a disease or infection
But the big question is this: If the bill becomes law, will it truly disinfect our politics?—Nancy Gibbs and Karen Tumulty
Nancy Gibbs and Karen Tumulty3
: to remove a software virus (see virus sense 3) from (a computer or device) often by means of a special program
The earliest viruses were relatively simple routines, and virus detectors could easily disinfect computers.—Philips Chien
Philips ChienExamples of disinfect in a Sentence
Chemicals were added to disinfect the water.
The wound needs to be disinfected.
Recent Examples on the Web
Always use sharp tools and remember to disinfect the blades between each plant.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
Use an old, bleach-safe flat sheet placed over the comforter or duvet to serve as a barrier between the pet and the bed covers; wash it at least weekly with disinfecting bleach.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2025
These include washing your hands well and often, thoroughly cooking and washing shellfish, fruits, and vegetables, disinfecting contaminated surfaces, and remaining at home for at least two days after the symptoms are gone.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Some additional funds are available for the costs of culling animals, disposing of their bodies and disinfecting farms afterward.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disinfect
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Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2025
Use an old, bleach-safe flat sheet placed over the comforter or duvet to serve as a barrier between the pet and the bed covers; wash it at least weekly with disinfecting bleach.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2025
These include washing your hands well and often, thoroughly cooking and washing shellfish, fruits, and vegetables, disinfecting contaminated surfaces, and remaining at home for at least two days after the symptoms are gone.
—Moná Thomas, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Some additional funds are available for the costs of culling animals, disposing of their bodies and disinfecting farms afterward.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disinfect
Cite this Entry
“Disinfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disinfect. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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Medical Definition
disinfect
transitive verb
dis·in·fect
ˌdis-ᵊn-ˈfekt
: to destroy, inactivate, or significantly reduce the concentration of pathogenic agents (as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) especially on hard surfaces and in water : to treat (something) with a disinfectant (as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, or sodium hypochlorite)
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