disinfectant

English disinfect +‎ -ant. Borrowed from French désinfectant.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /dɪs.ɪnˈfɛktənt/

• Audio (US)

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disinfectant (not comparable)

1. Serving to kill germs or viruses.

   I washed repeatedly with a disinfectant soap but I still caught the flu.

disinfectant (plural disinfectants)

1. A substance that kills germs and/or viruses.

   The scalpels were soaked in disinfectant before the operation so disease wouldn't be spread.

• sunlight is the best disinfectant

• antiseptic or antibiotic (when used on living organisms)