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Sanitize Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sanitize

[หˆsรฆn.ษช.taษชz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

cleaning

To make clean and free from dirt, germs, or impurities.

Synonyms

cleanse, disinfect, purify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sanitize

Use when removing germs or bacteria, usually to a level that is considered safe. Often used in contexts like healthcare, food preparation, or general cleaning.

  • They sanitize the hospital rooms every day.
  • Make sure to sanitize your hands before eating.
cleanse

Use when you want to remove impurities, dirt, or toxins. Often used in skincare or holistic health contexts.

  • She uses a special facial wash to cleanse her skin.
  • The detox program is designed to cleanse your body.
disinfect

Use when you want to kill almost all germs and bacteria, typically with chemicals. Often used in medical or highly sanitary environments.

  • You should disinfect the wound to prevent infection.
  • Hospitals use strong chemicals to disinfect surgical instruments.
purify

Use when removing undesirable elements, often referring to water, air, or moral/ethical cleansing.

  • We need to purify the water before drinking it.
  • The air purifiers help purify the air in the house.

Examples of usage

  • He sanitized his hands before eating.
  • The hospital staff sanitized the equipment after each use.
Context #2 | Verb

technology

To remove sensitive or personally identifiable information from a document or data set.

Synonyms

clean, redact, scrub.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sanitize

Use when talking about removing germs or making something hygienic, usually in a medical or food safety context.

  • The nurses sanitize their hands before treating patients
  • After preparing raw chicken, you should sanitize the countertop
clean

Use in a general context when removing dirt, dust, or stains to make something visually or physically tidy.

  • I need to clean my room before guests arrive
  • She spent the morning cleaning the kitchen
scrub

Use when talking about cleaning something by rubbing it hard, usually to remove tough dirt or stains. Often used for more intensive cleaning tasks.

  • I had to scrub the bathroom tiles to get rid of the grime
  • She scrubbed the floor until it was spotless
redact

Use when talking about editing or censoring information in a text, usually for security or privacy reasons.

  • The sensitive information was redacted from the report
  • We need to redact personal details before sharing this document

Examples of usage

  • The software automatically sanitizes the user's input to prevent security breaches.
  • Before sharing the file, make sure to sanitize any confidential data.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Public Health

  • Regular sanitization has been crucial during pandemics to control the spread of diseases.
  • Health organizations globally recommend sanitizing surfaces to reduce infection risk.

Science

  • Sanitizing kills 99.9% of germs, which is especially important in places like hospitals and kitchens.
  • Different sanitizing agents, like alcohol or bleach, work through various chemical processes to eliminate pathogens.

Cultural Practices

  • In many cultures, practicing cleanliness and sanitization is tied to religious rituals and beliefs about purity.
  • The rise of 'cleanliness is next to godliness' reflects societal values on the importance of hygiene.

Technology

  • Advancements in sanitation technology, such as UV light sanitizers, target germs without chemicals.
  • Smart home devices now include sanitizing features, integrating health measures into daily life.

Origin of 'sanitize'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'sanitize' comes from the Latin word 'sanitas' meaning 'health'.
  • It was first used in English in the mid-19th century, reflecting growing concerns about public health.

The term 'sanitize' originated from the Latin word 'sanitatus', which means 'made healthy'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-19th century. The concept of sanitizing has been crucial throughout history, especially in the fields of medicine and public health. With the advancement of technology, the term has also been adopted in the context of data security and privacy.

See also: sanitization, sanitizer, sanitizing.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,519, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.