bacteriostat
/bækˈtɪriəstæt/
noun
- A substance or agent that stops bacteria from growing or multiplying, but does not necessarily kill them.
- The lab added a bacteriostat to the sample to prevent bacterial growth during transport.
- Some hand soaps contain a bacteriostat to keep germs from multiplying on your skin.
- The doctor explained that the ointment is a bacteriostat, not an antibiotic that kills bacteria outright.