The act or process of sterilizing, or rendering sterile; also, the state of being sterile
The process by which all living cells, viable spores, viruses, and viroids are either destroyed or removed from an object or habitat (See 137)
the act of rendering something free from living cells In hydroponics it is essential that all materials (especially any growing medium) used are sterile to avoid contaminating the hydroponic system Steam and chemical agents are often used in this process
The removal or destruction of all microorganisms, including pathogenic and other bacteria, vegetative forms and spores
The removal or destruction of all microorganisms, including pathogenic and other bacteria, vegetative forms and spores Compare with disinfection
The complete elimination of all microscopic organisms using heat, irradiation, gas or chemicals
Any surgical procedure intended to end fertility permanently (see contraception). Such operations remove or interrupt the anatomical pathways through which the cells involved in fertilization travel (see reproductive system). They are relatively simple and more than 99% effective. The operations used in humans are vasectomy in men and tubal ligation (tying off and blocking or cutting of the fallopian tubes) in women. Though these operations are considered permanent, the development of microsurgery has improved the chances of reversal. Animals are sterilized by castration in males and spaying (removal of the ovaries) in females
The killing or eradication of all viable vegetative and persistent forms of pathogenic and apathogenic micro-organisms in materials and preparations or on objects [6] using a suitable, efficacy-controlled process
The method used to render a material free from living organisms Usual methods include steam under pressure, gas, and ionizing radiation