antibacterial
adjective
an·ti·bac·te·ri·al
ˌan-tē-bak-ˈtir-ē-əl 
ˌan-ˌtī-
ˌan-ˌtī-
: directed or effective against bacteria
antibacterial soap
an antibacterial drug
antibacterial
noun
In an effort to develop new antifungals, scientists are boning up on previous research on antibacterials.
—
Ellen Licking
Ellen Licking
Examples of antibacterial in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Seed extracts have antibacterial properties and help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024
The researchers speculate that the metals could be finding their way into tampon products via contaminated cotton, or that some metals may be intentionally added during manufacturing to whiten materials or as antibacterial agents, for example.
—Tanyel Mustafa, refinery29.com, 12 July 2024
The metals could have been added as a way to add pigment, whitener or an antibacterial agent.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
Research showing indigo’s antibacterial properties has been around for a while (Aizome claims these properties help neutralize body odor).
—Alden Wicker, WIRED, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for antibacterial 
Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024
The researchers speculate that the metals could be finding their way into tampon products via contaminated cotton, or that some metals may be intentionally added during manufacturing to whiten materials or as antibacterial agents, for example.
—Tanyel Mustafa, refinery29.com, 12 July 2024
The metals could have been added as a way to add pigment, whitener or an antibacterial agent.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024
Research showing indigo’s antibacterial properties has been around for a while (Aizome claims these properties help neutralize body odor).
—Alden Wicker, WIRED, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for antibacterial
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antibacterial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near antibacterial
Cite this Entry
“Antibacterial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antibacterial. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
antibacterial
1 of 2 adjective
an·ti·bac·te·ri·al
ˌant-i-bak-ˈtir-ē-əl
ˌan-ˌtī-
ˌan-ˌtī-
: directed or effective against bacteria
antibacterial
2 of 2 noun
: an antibacterial agent
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