sterilization

/ˌstɛrələˈzeɪʃən/
noun
  1. The process of killing all germs and bacteria to make something completely clean.
    • The water treatment plant uses UV light for sterilization.
    • Proper sterilization of baby bottles helps keep infants healthy.
    • Sterilization of surgical tools is essential before any operation.
  2. A medical procedure that makes a person or animal unable to produce offspring.
    • Sterilization is often a permanent decision, so it requires careful thought.
    • Many pet owners choose sterilization to control the animal population.
    • The doctor explained the risks and benefits of sterilization as a form of birth control.
What does "sterilization" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean