Disinfect vs. Sterilize

Disinfectverb

To sterilize by the use of cleaning agent.

Disinfectverb

To free from infectious or contagious matter; to destroy putrefaction; to purify; to make innocuous.

Disinfectverb

destroy microorganisms or pathogens by cleansing;

Sterilizeverb

To deprive of the ability to procreate.

Sterilizeverb

To make unable to produce; to make unprofitable.

Sterilizeverb

(biology) To kill, deactivate (denature), or destroy (break apart) all living, viable microorganisms and spores on a surface, in a fluid, or contained in a compound, such as culture media or a medical product.

Sterilizeverb

To make sterile or unproductive; to impoverish, as land; to exhaust of fertility.

Sterilizeverb

To deprive of the power of reproducing; to render incapable of germination or fecundation; to make sterile.

Sterilizeverb

To destroy all spores or germs in (an organic fluid or mixture) or on (a medical instrument), as by heat, so as to prevent contamination by bacteria or other organisms. A common method of sterilization in laboratories and medical facilities is to heat a liquid sample or an instrument in an autoclave.

Sterilizeverb

To destroy all spores or germs on (a surface) by wetting with an antiseptic liquid, such as an alcoholic solution.

Sterilizeverb

make free from bacteria

Sterilizeverb

make infertile;

Sterilizeverb

make (something) free from bacteria or other living microorganisms

Sterilizeverb

deprive (a person or animal) of the ability to produce offspring, typically by removing or blocking the sex organs

Sterilizeverb

make (land or water) unable to produce crops or support life