noun
1. the act of making an organism barren or infertile (unable to reproduce)
• Syn: ↑sterilization
• Derivationally related forms: ↑sterilise, ↑sterilize (for: ↑sterilization)
• Hypernyms: ↑operation, ↑surgery, ↑surgical operation, ↑surgical procedure, ↑surgical process
• Hyponyms: ↑neutering, ↑fixing, ↑altering, ↑surgical contraception
2. the procedure of making some object free of live bacteria or other microorganisms (usually by heat or chemical means)
• Syn: ↑sterilization
• Derivationally related forms: ↑sterilise, ↑sterilize (for: ↑sterilization)
• Hyponyms: ↑pasteurization, ↑pasteurisation
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sterilization or sterilisation /ster-i-lī-zāˈshən/ noun
• • •
Main Entry: ↑sterile
Useful english dictionary. 2012.