( BrE also ster·il·ise ) / ˈsterəlaɪz; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
[ often passive ] to kill the bacteria in or on sth :
to sterilize surgical instruments
sterilized milk / water
2.
[ usually passive ] to make a person or an animal unable to have babies, especially by removing or blocking their sex organs
► ster·il·iza·tion , ster·il·isa·tion / ˌsterəlaɪˈzeɪʃn; NAmE -ləˈz-/ noun [ U , C ]