Definition of "germfree" []

• Free of microorganisms. (adjective)

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.

• "For example, germfree animals have lower levels of gamma-globulin than do conventional animals with a complete gut flora."
• "They do not produce germfree surfaces and objects, but, properly used in conjunction with those habits, help reduce the numbers of bacteria, including potentially harmful ones, so that you have an increased margin of safety."
• "The sanitizing and disinfecting methods ordinarily recommended for the home are backup measures, intended to reinforce sound cleaning habits, not replace them They do not produce germfree surfaces and objects, but, properly used in conjunction with those habits, help reduce the numbers of bacteria, including potentially harmful ones."