sterilize
verbUK /ˈsterəlaɪz/
US /ˈsterəlaɪz/
To clean something so well that all tiny germs are killed.
The nurse used special soap to sterilize the tools before the doctor used them.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. To make a person or animal unable to have babies.
The vet sterilized the cat so it could not have kittens.
3. To make land or soil unable to grow plants, usually by heating or chemicals.
They sterilized the soil in the pot to kill weed seeds.
4. To remove all living things from something, such as food or water.
Campers sterilize river water by boiling it before drinking.