sterilize

/ˈsterəlaɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsterəlaɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈster-ə-ˌlīz/ (ame, mw)

sterilize — verb

  • sterilizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • sterilizeshe / she / it
  • sterilizedpast simple
  • sterilizing-ing form

1. to carry out a surgical or hormonal procedure on a person or animal that permane

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to carry out a surgical or hormonal procedure on a person or animal that permanently stops them from being able to produce children.

例句

Fatima chose to be sterilized after her third child because her family felt complete.

be sterilized (passive, personal choice)

The vet sterilized Haruto's dog during a routine check-up at the clinic.

同義詞
  • neuter

    used specifically for animals, especially pets; less formal

  • spay

    refers to sterilizing a female animal by removing the ovaries

  • vasectomy

    the specific surgical procedure for a human male; not a verb

反義詞

文法句型

sterilize + person/animal

be sterilized (passive)

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive voice when describing a person choosing or undergoing the procedure. The specific medical terms 'vasectomy' (for men) and 'tubal ligation' (for women) are more precise but less common in everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor sterilized the wound before stitching it.
✅The doctor disinfected the wound before stitching it.
💡Sterilize is for making a person/animal unable to reproduce; for cleaning a wound, use 'disinfect' or 'clean'.

2. to treat an object or surface with heat, chemicals, or other methods so that all

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to treat an object or surface with heat, chemicals, or other methods so that all harmful microorganisms are destroyed.

例句

Parents should sterilize baby bottles by boiling them in water for five minutes.

sterilize + baby bottles + by boiling

The nurse sterilized the surgical instruments before the doctor began the operation.

同義詞
  • disinfect

    kills most germs but not necessarily all; more common in everyday use

  • sanitize

    cleans to a safe public-health level; less thorough than sterilize

  • pasteurize

    uses heat to kill harmful germs in liquids like milk; not used for solid objects

反義詞
  • contaminate

    to make something dirty or infected with germs

文法句型

sterilize + object/instrument

sterilize + by + method (boiling, heating, chemicals)

用法筆記

Unlike 'disinfect' (which reduces germs to a safe level) or 'sanitize' (which cleans to a public-health standard), sterilizing means destroying all microorganisms including bacterial spores. Common methods include boiling, steam treatment, and chemical solutions.

常見錯誤

❌I sterilized my hands before dinner.
✅I washed my hands before dinner.
💡Sterilize is too strong for everyday hand-washing; use 'wash' or 'clean'.