antimicrobial

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antimicrobial

A doctor washes her hands with antimicrobial soap before surgery.

Definition

  1. Adjective:

    • Capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of disease-causing microorganisms: Describes a substance, agent, or property that kills or stops the growth of microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi, that can cause disease.

  2. Noun:

    • An agent that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease: A substance, treatment, or chemical (e.g., an antibiotic, disinfectant, or antiseptic) used to kill or inhibit harmful microbes.
Usage Examples
  • Adjective:
    • The hospital uses antimicrobial coatings on high-touch surfaces.
    • Silver has known antimicrobial properties.
  • Noun:
    • This cleaner is a powerful antimicrobial.
    • The doctor prescribed a broad-spectrum antimicrobial to treat the infection.
Advanced Usage
  • "Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)": The ability of a microorganism to stop an antimicrobial from working against it.
    • The overuse of antibiotics is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance.
  • "Antimicrobial stewardship": Coordinated interventions designed to improve and measure the appropriate use of antimicrobials.
    • The hospital's antimicrobial stewardship program helps ensure antibiotics are prescribed correctly.
Variants and Related Words
  • Antibiotic (n): A type of antimicrobial substance active against bacteria.
    • Penicillin was the first widely used antibiotic.
  • Antiseptic (n/adj): A substance that prevents the growth of disease-causing microorganisms, typically used on living tissue.
    • Apply an antiseptic to the wound.
  • Disinfectant (n): A chemical liquid that destroys bacteria, used on non-living surfaces.
    • Use a disinfectant to clean the countertops.
Synonyms
  • Germicide: An agent that kills microorganisms, especially pathogens.
  • Microbicide: An agent that kills microbes.
Related Phrases
  • Antimicrobial activity: The effectiveness of an agent in killing or inhibiting microbes.
    • The study measured the antimicrobial activity of the new compound.
  • Antimicrobial agent: A more formal term for an antimicrobial (noun).
    • Soap is a simple but effective antimicrobial agent.
antimicrobial

A doctor washes her hands with antimicrobial soap before surgery.

Adjective
  1. capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of disease-causing microorganisms
Noun
  1. an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease

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