DISINFECTANT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does disinfectant mean? 

• DISINFECTANT (noun)
  The noun DISINFECTANT has 1 sense:

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

  Familiarity information: DISINFECTANT used as a noun is very rare.

• DISINFECTANT (adjective)
  The adjective DISINFECTANT has 1 sense:

1. preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms

  Familiarity information: DISINFECTANT used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DISINFECTANT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

antimicrobial; antimicrobic; disinfectant; germicide

Hypernyms ("disinfectant" is a kind of...):

agent (a substance that exerts some force or effect)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "disinfectant"):

cetrimide (a cationic detergent that is a powerful disinfectant)

sodium hypochlorite (an unstable salt (NaOCl) used as a bleaching agent and disinfectant)

Derivation:

disinfect (destroy microorganisms or pathogens by cleansing)

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

• DISINFECTANT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms

Synonyms:

bactericidal; disinfectant; germicidal

Similar:

antiseptic (thoroughly clean and free of or destructive to disease-causing organisms)

Derivation:

disinfect (destroy microorganisms or pathogens by cleansing)

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

 Context examples 

A sterilization method that uses a disinfectant for a period of time to kill all microorganisms except small numbers of bacterial spores.

(High-level Disinfectant Sterilization, NCI Thesaurus)

It is a colorless liquid having disinfectant properties.

(Isopropyl Alcohol, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Most disinfectants are harsh chemicals but sometimes heat or radiation may be used.

(Disinfectant, NCI Dictionary)

A colorless poisonous gas synthesized by the oxidation of methanol and used as an antiseptic, disinfectant, histologic fixative, and general-purpose chemical reagent for laboratory applications.

(Formaldehyde, NCI Thesaurus)

Alcohol acts as a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, a diuretic, and a disinfectant.

(Alcohol, NCI Thesaurus)

Cloflucarban is used as disinfectant and is found in antimicrobial soaps and deodorants.

(Cloflucarban, NCI Thesaurus)

A water-soluble oily liquid, C5H8O2, containing two aldehyde groups, used as a disinfectant and as a fixative for biological tissues.

(Glutaral, NCI Thesaurus)

All enterococci sampled were resistant to a common set of stresses—including antibiotics, disinfectants, drying and starvation—suggesting that the ancestors of all enterococci also shared these abilities.

(Enterococci may have evolved antimicrobial resistance millions of years ago, NIH)

A chemical used in bleaches, dyes, cleansers, antiseptics, and disinfectants.

(Hydrogen peroxide, NCI Dictionary)

Known as quaternary ammonium compounds or quats, the chemicals are often used as disinfectants and preservatives in household and personal products such as cleaners, laundry detergent, fabric softener, shampoo and conditioner, and eye drops.

(Common Household Chemicals Lead to Birth Defects in Mice, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)