germicide
Destroys harmful microorganisms
A germicide is a substance that kills germs—bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
The term appears in product descriptions and medical contexts: a germicide spray for hospital surfaces.
Germicidal is the adjective form: germicidal soap, germicidal UV light.
Agent destroying viral pathogens
- sporicideSubstance destroying dormant microbes
- algicideSubstance destroying aquatic microorganisms
- microbicideSubstance that kills microorganisms
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
disinfectant · sanitizer · sterilant · antimicrobial · antibacterial · antiviral · antifungal · bacteriostatic
Eliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sanitizationCleaning to remove pathogens
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
- purifyRemove unwanted substances
eliminate · eradicate · neutralize · destroy · kill · inhibit · inactivate · cleanse
Institutions treating the sick
- laboratoriesFacilities for scientific investigation
- surgical instrumentsTools for medical procedures
- water treatmentCleaning supply for consumption
- food processingIndustrial ingredient transformation
wound care · operating rooms · clinics · public health · infection control
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusesSubmicroscopic infectious particles
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
spores · germs · microbes · algae · infection · contamination · biofilm
Pressurized steam sterilization chamber
- pasteurizationThermal pathogen elimination process
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- dry heatHigh temperature, low humidity
- filtrationSeparating solids from liquids
virucide
Agent destroying viral pathogens
- sporicideSubstance destroying dormant microbes
- algicideSubstance destroying aquatic microorganisms
- microbicideSubstance that kills microorganisms
antiseptic · disinfectant · sanitizer · sterilant · antimicrobial · antibacterial · antiviral · antifungal · bacteriostatic · handrub
disinfection
Eliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sanitizationCleaning to remove pathogens
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
purify · eliminate · eradicate · neutralize · destroy · kill · inhibit · inactivate · cleanse
hospitals
Institutions treating the sick
- laboratoriesFacilities for scientific investigation
- surgical instrumentsTools for medical procedures
- water treatmentCleaning supply for consumption
food processing · wound care · operating rooms · clinics · public health · infection control
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusesSubmicroscopic infectious particles
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
microorganisms · spores · germs · microbes · algae · infection · contamination · biofilm
autoclave
Pressurized steam sterilization chamber
- pasteurizationThermal pathogen elimination process
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- dry heatHigh temperature, low humidity
- cleaningcleaning, clean, housekeeping, clean up, daily cleaning
- hygienehygiene, handwashing, toothbrush, hand washing, sanitizer
- Antimicrobialsantibiotic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal
- -cide wordsgenocide, filicide, sororicide, feticide, deicide
- Antisepticschlorhexidine, Dettol, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, povidone-iodine
- Biocidesbiocidal, disinfectant, antiseptic, sanitizer, virucide
germicidegrowth medium
Nutrient substance for cultivation
agar · probiotic · incubator · fertilizer · inoculant
germicidenutrient
Life-sustaining substance
nourishment · sustenance · vitalizer · cure · medicine
germicidepreservative
Agent preventing spoilage
life-support · nutrient · cure · restorative · life-giver