sterilize
verb/ɨʃtɨɾiliˈzaɾ/medium
es·te·ri·li·zar
Definition
To make sterile; to eliminate all microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) from an object, surface, or environment.
It is essential to sterilize surgical instruments before any operation.
The autoclave is used to sterilize glassware in the lab.
Common collocations
sterilize equipmentsterilize by heat
Etymology
Do latim 'sterilis' + sufixo '-izar'.