noun
- chemical agents or substances used to destroy all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, and spores
Usage: technical; medical
Examples
- The hospital uses powerful sterilants to clean surgical instruments.
- Ethylene oxide is one of the most effective sterilants for medical equipment.
- Laboratory technicians must handle sterilants with extreme caution.
- These sterilants can eliminate even the most resistant bacterial spores.
- The pharmaceutical company tested various sterilants for their new packaging process.
- Proper ventilation is required when working with chemical sterilants.