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.

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