antimicrobial

[ an-tee-mahy-kroh-bee-uhl, an-tahy‐ ]
/ ˌæn ti maɪˈkroʊ bi əl, ˌæn taɪ‐ /
Medicine/Medical, Pharmacology.

adjective

destructive to or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi: an antimicrobial spray to stop the spread of athlete’s foot in the locker room; antimicrobial ointments that suppress the cold sore virus.

noun

an antimicrobial product. Antimicrobials are generally regulated into two categories—those used on inanimate objects, as wipes for kitchen counters, and those used in or on living things, as antibiotics or hand sanitizers: Any product that kills bacteria or viruses is an antimicrobial, but that doesn’t mean any antimicrobial will kill both bacteria and viruses.
Compare antibacterial.

Origin of antimicrobial

First recorded in 1900–05; anti- + microbial

Example sentences from the Web for antimicrobial

British Dictionary definitions for antimicrobial

antimicrobial
/ (ˌæntɪmaɪˈkrəʊbɪəl) /

adjective

capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of disease-causing microbes

Medical definitions for antimicrobial

antimicrobial
[ ăn′tē-mī-krōbē-əl, ăn′tī- ]

adj.

Tending to destroy microbes, prevent their development, or inhibit their pathogenic action.