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
Handwashing and disinfecting high-traffic surfaces can help reduce contact with the flu virus.
—Annette Regan, The Conversation, 28 Feb. 2025
Chlorine and oxygen bleaches can sanitize and disinfect, but disinfecting might require a higher concentration or a longer dwell time.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
Ensure that the stations are clean, the technicians wash their hands between clients, the pedicure bowls are thoroughly disinfected, and the tools are sanitized.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 18 Feb. 2025
So either keep everybody else out of there or commit to disinfecting high-touch surfaces regularly.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2025
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Annette Regan, The Conversation, 28 Feb. 2025
Chlorine and oxygen bleaches can sanitize and disinfect, but disinfecting might require a higher concentration or a longer dwell time.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2025
Ensure that the stations are clean, the technicians wash their hands between clients, the pedicure bowls are thoroughly disinfected, and the tools are sanitized.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 18 Feb. 2025
So either keep everybody else out of there or commit to disinfecting high-touch surfaces regularly.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disinfect
Articles Related to disinfect
Cite this Entry
“Disinfect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disinfect. Accessed 13 Mar. 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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