1. making something completely free from bacteria or other living microorganisms
Usage: present participle of sterilize
2. making a person or animal unable to produce offspring
Usage: present participle of sterilize; medical

1. used for making something free from germs or bacteria

Examples

• The nurse is sterilizing the surgical instruments before the operation.
• Sterilizing baby bottles helps prevent infections.
• The veterinarian recommended sterilizing the cat to prevent unwanted litters.
• She used sterilizing solution to clean the wound.
• The sterilizing process takes about twenty minutes in the autoclave.
• Boiling water is an effective method for sterilizing equipment.
• The sterilizing agent killed all harmful bacteria on the surface.