antimicrobial
[ an-tee-mahy-kroh-bee-uhl, an-tahy‐ ]
/ ˌæn ti maɪˈkroʊ bi əl, ˌæn taɪ‐ /
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.
Words nearby antimicrobial
antimatter,
antimension,
antimensium,
antimere,
antimetabolite,
antimicrobial,
antimilitant,
antimissile,
antimissile missile,
antimitotic,
antimonarchist
Example sentences from the Web for antimicrobial
“Oil is antimicrobial and gets into the tissues of the mouth to inhibit bacterial growth,” says Caldecott.
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-krō′bē-əl, ăn′tī- ]
adj.
Tending to destroy microbes, prevent their development, or inhibit their pathogenic action.