adjective preventing infection by inhibiting the growth or action of microorganisms.
— synonyms: bactericidal, germicidal
noun an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease.
— synonyms: germicide, antimicrobic, antimicrobial
Examples
“The scalpels were soaked in disinfectant before the operation so disease wouldn't be spread.”
“I washed repeatedly with a disinfectant soap but I still caught the flu.”