germicidal
Destroys harmful microbes
Germicidal means capable of killing germs—bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
The term appears in technical and commercial contexts: germicidal soap, germicidal UV light, germicidal wipes.
Something germicidal destroys rather than merely inhibits microbial life.
Agent destroying surface pathogens
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- sanitizerAgent that reduces microbes
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
- fungicideChemical that kills mold
virucide · biocide · microbicide · algicide · sterilizer · cleanser · purifier · decontaminant
Complete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sanitizationCleaning to remove pathogens
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
- pasteurizationThermal pathogen elimination process
autoclaving · fumigation · irradiation · filtration · asepsis · antisepsis · purification · cleansing
Medical treatment facility
- surgicalRelating to operations
- wound careTreatment of bodily injuries
- water treatmentCleaning supply for consumption
- food processingIndustrial ingredient transformation
laboratory · dental · pharmaceutical · housekeeping · laundry · surface cleaning · air purification · medical devices
disinfectant
Agent destroying surface pathogens
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- sanitizerAgent that reduces microbes
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
fungicide · virucide · biocide · microbicide · algicide · sterilizer · cleanser · purifier · decontaminant · bleach
sterilization
Complete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sanitizationCleaning to remove pathogens
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
pasteurization · autoclaving · fumigation · irradiation · filtration · asepsis · antisepsis · purification · cleansing
hospital
Medical treatment facility
- surgicalRelating to operations
- wound careTreatment of bodily injuries
- water treatmentCleaning supply for consumption
food processing · laboratory · dental · pharmaceutical · housekeeping · laundry · surface cleaning · air purification · medical devices · hand hygiene
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusesSubmicroscopic infectious particles
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
microbes · microorganisms · spores · germs · mold · mildew · yeast · algae · protozoa · biofilm
kill
Cause death
neutralize · inactivate · denature · lyse · rupture · inhibit · prevent · reduce · control · combat
- Biocidesbiocide, biocidal, disinfectant, antiseptic, sanitizer
- cleaning propertiesantibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, disinfectant, disinfecting
- sterilizationsterilization, autoclaving, autoclave, disinfecting, sanitizing
germicidalseptic
Infected with bacteria
infected · contaminated · unsanitary · unhygienic · pathogenic