Definition of "fumigate" [fu•mi•gate]

• To subject to smoke or fumes, usually in order to exterminate pests or disinfect. (verb-transitive)
• To employ smoke or fumes in order to exterminate or disinfect. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Pat Quinn has said he wants to "fumigate" government."
• "Pat Quinn is backing away from Speaker Michael Madigan's broad plan to "fumigate" the government's ranks with job cuts, bill would have purged as many as 3,000 state employees hired or appointed by disgraced former governors George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich."
• "The governor is promising to "fumigate" state government by reviewing Blagojevich agencies and appointees to make sure everyone's doing his job and following the law."