disinfectant

/ˈdɪsənˌfɛktənt/

/dɪsɪnˈfɛktɪnt/

Other forms: disinfectants

If you need to clean a nasty mess, grab some disinfectant. It's a powerful cleanser that kills bacteria.

Disinfectant is a chemical that can destroy dangerous microorganisms — using it is the next best thing to sterilization. If someone in your family has had the flu, it makes sense to use a disinfectant when you clean the bathroom, just in case there are lingering germs on the doorknobs and faucets. Disinfectants are similar to antibiotics and antiseptics, except they're used on objects and surfaces rather than on (or in) our bodies.

Definitions of disinfectant

1. noun

   an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease
   synonyms: antimicrobial, antimicrobic, germicide

   types:

   cetrimide

   a cationic detergent that is a powerful disinfectant

   sodium hypochlorite

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

   Javel water, Javelle water, eau de Javelle

   an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite

   type of:

   agent

   a substance that exerts some force or effect
2. adjective

   preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms
   synonyms: bactericidal, germicidal

   antiseptic

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