DISINFECT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does disinfect mean? 

• DISINFECT (verb)
  The verb DISINFECT has 1 sense:

1. destroy microorganisms or pathogens by cleansing

  Familiarity information: DISINFECT used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DISINFECT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they disinfect    ... he / she / it disinfects   
Past simple: disinfected   
Past participle: disinfected   
-ing form: disinfecting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Destroy microorganisms or pathogens by cleansing

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Context example:

disinfect a wound

Hypernyms (to "disinfect" is one way to...):

clean; make clean (make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "disinfect"):

sterilise; sterilize (make free from bacteria)

antisepticize (disinfect with an antiseptic)

chlorinate (disinfect with chlorine)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Antonym:

infect (contaminate with a disease or microorganism)

Derivation:

disinfectant (an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease)

disinfectant (preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms)

disinfection (treatment to destroy harmful microorganisms)

 Context examples 

A device problem that occurred during or as the result of the cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing process.

(Device Cleaning Disinfecting Sterilization Problem Evaluation Result, Food and Drug Administration)

Tissue banks screen these donors and disinfect and test the donated bone to make sure it is safe to use.

(Bone Grafts, NIH)

These include static microisolator housing, handling animals with disinfected forceps, opening animal cages only in a hood, cage-by-cage testing and requiring that full barrier garb be worn by all persons entering animal rooms.

(Barrier Animal Facility Shared Resource, NCI Thesaurus)

Lithium benzoate exerts natriuretic activity and disinfects the urinary tract, but has considerable toxicity.

(Lithium Benzoate, NCI Thesaurus)

Although the exact mechanism of isopropanol's disinfecting action is not known, it might kill cells by denaturing cell proteins and DNA, interfering with cellular metabolism, and dissolving cell lipo-protein membranes.

(Isopropyl Alcohol, NCI Thesaurus)

The findings affirm the guidance from public health professionals to use precautions similar to those for influenza and other respiratory viruses to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2: • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. • Stay home when you are sick. • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

(New coronavirus stable for hours on surface, National Institutes of Health)