Disinfecting: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when referring to the process of cleaning something, usually surfaces, with chemicals to kill bacteria and viruses.

• The kitchen countertops were disinfected with a special spray to remove all germs

Use when referring to the process of making something completely free of all microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and spores, often through heat or chemicals.

• Surgical instruments must be sterilized before any medical procedure

Use when referring to the process of making something clean and hygienic by reducing the level of bacteria, typically in a more general sense than disinfecting.

• Hand sanitizers are commonly used in schools to sanitize students' hands

Use when referring to the process of removing harmful substances, such as chemicals, radiation, or infectious agents, from an area, object, or person.

• Emergency responders decontaminated the area after the chemical spill