1. the process of making something inactive or stopping it from working
2. the process by which enzymes, genes, or biological systems are rendered non-functional
Usage: biology; biochemistry

Examples

• The inactivation of the alarm system allowed the thieves to enter undetected.
• Heat treatment causes inactivation of harmful bacteria in food.
• The drug works by causing inactivation of specific enzymes.
• Gene inactivation can occur through various molecular mechanisms.
• The inactivation of the computer virus prevented further damage.
• Scientists studied the inactivation of proteins under different conditions.
• The inactivation process took several hours to complete.