disinfectant

Plural: disinfectants

Noun

• an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease
• A substance that kills germs or viruses.

Adjective Satellite

• preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms

Adj

• Serving to kill germs or viruses.

Examples

• I washed repeatedly with a disinfectant soap but I still caught the flu.
• The scalpels were soaked in disinfectant before the operation so disease wouldn't be spread.

Synonyms

antimicrobial, antimicrobic, bactericidal, germicidal, germicide

Related Words

antibiotic, antiseptic

Anagrams of disinfectant