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Adjective: disinfectant  ,dis-in'fek-tunt
  1. Preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms
    "disinfectant chemicals can be used to disinfect and, in some cases, sterilize";
    - bactericidal, germicidal
Noun: disinfectant  ,dis-in'fek-tunt
  1. An agent (as heat, radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease
    - germicide, antimicrobic, antimicrobial

Derived forms: disinfectants

See also: antiseptic

Type of: agent

Encyclopedia: Disinfectant