Definition of "sterilize" [ster•il•ize]

• To make free from live bacteria or other microorganisms. (verb-transitive)
• To deprive (a person or an animal) of the ability to produce offspring, as by removing the reproductive organs. (verb-transitive)
• To make incapable of bearing fruit or germinating. (verb-transitive)
• To render (land) unfruitful. (verb-transitive)
• Economics To place (gold) in safekeeping so as not to affect the supply of money or credit. (verb-transitive)

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.

• "LUI: General Grange, the word sterilize has been used in the process as they go through the southern parts of Lebanon."
• "Steel is easy to clean and sterilize, which is invaluable when sharing a toy."
• "However, IMF conditionalities often require recipient governments to 'sterilize' the injection of additional resources so they do not increase the level of demand in the national economy."