1. capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms: antimicrobial drugs.

1. tending to destroy or capable of destroying microbes
2. inhibiting the growth of microbes
3. preventing or counteracting the pathogenic action of microbes
4. an agent that destroys microbes, inhibits their growth, or prevents or counteracts their pathogenic action

1. capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of disease-causing microorganisms
2. an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease