sterilise

/ˈster.ɪ.laɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈster.ə.laɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈster-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce sterilize (audio)/ (ame, mw)

sterilise — verb

  • sterilisepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • sterilises3rd person singular
  • sterilising-ing form
  • sterilisedpast simple

1. to remove all bacteria and other tiny living organisms from a tool, container, o

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to remove all bacteria and other tiny living organisms from a tool, container, or surface.

例句

Before the dentist arrived, Rin sterilised the metal tray and mirrors.

sterilise tools before treatment

Hari boiled the baby's bottles to sterilise them after the trip.

同義詞
  • disinfect

    less complete; it reduces harmful germs rather than removing every microorganism

  • sanitize

    common for making something hygienic, especially outside strict medical settings

  • decontaminate

    broader and often used when dangerous substances, not only germs, are involved

反義詞
  • contaminate

    to make something dirty or unsafe by adding harmful material or germs

文法句型

sterilise something

sterilise something with steam

be sterilised before use

用法筆記

Often used for instruments, bottles, and surfaces that must be completely free of living microorganisms. It is stronger than 'disinfect', which means reducing germs to a safer level.

常見錯誤

❌I sterilised the kitchen table with a dry cloth.
✅I wiped the kitchen table with a dry cloth.
💡sterilise means killing microorganisms, not simply removing dirt.

2. to end a person's ability to have children, usually through surgery.

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to end a person's ability to have children, usually through surgery.

例句

After their second child, Yara chose to be sterilised at the hospital.

choose to be sterilised

The surgeon sterilised Tomás during the operation, with his written consent.

sterilise somebody during an operation

同義詞
  • vasectomize

    a narrower term for male sterilization

  • spay

    used for female animals rather than people

  • neuter

    mainly used for animals and is less specific in everyday use

文法句型

sterilise somebody

be sterilised after an operation

sterilise somebody with consent

用法筆記

Usually appears in medical, legal, or historical discussion and is often used in the passive. Unlike temporary birth control, this sense refers to a permanent change.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor sterilised her with tablets.
✅The doctor sterilised her during an operation.
💡this sense refers to a medical procedure, not medicine you take.
❌The clinic sterilised him for a few months.
✅The clinic said sterilisation is permanent.
💡this sense is not used for temporary birth control.