Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
inactivate
verb
/ˌɪn.æk.tɪˈveɪt/
Definition
To make inactive or to cause a substance to lose its activity.
Examples
- The heat can inactivate certain enzymes in the solution.
- Vaccines work by inactivating the virus so it cannot cause disease.
- It takes time for the medication to inactivate the bacteria in your system.
Meaning
Inactivate refers to the process of rendering something inactive, meaning that it can no longer perform its function or role. This term is often used in scientific contexts, particularly in biology and chemistry, to describe a process where organisms or substances lose their active state.
Synonyms
- deactivate
- disable
- neutralize
- render inactive
