Pronunciation: [sˈanɪtˌa͡ɪzɪŋ] (IPA) 
The word "sanitizing" is spelled with a "z" in American English, whereas in British English it is spelled with an "s" as "sanitising". The IPA phonetic transcription for "sanitizing" is /ˈsænɪˌtaɪzɪŋ/. This word is derived from the noun "sanitize" and the -ize suffix, which is a common way to form verbs from nouns or adjectives in English. The word refers to the process of making something clean and free from germs or bacteria.
Sanitizing is the action of cleaning and disinfecting something, typically with the goal of making it free from harmful microorganisms. It involves the use of various techniques, substances, or procedures to eliminate or reduce the presence of germs, viruses, bacteria, fungi, or other potentially harmful agents on surfaces, objects, or even living organisms.
Sanitizing can occur in different settings such as homes, hospitals, restaurants, laboratories, or public spaces, where it plays a vital role in maintaining cleanliness and preventing the transmission of diseases. The process typically includes the use of chemical disinfectants, heat, or both, depending on the nature of the targeted microorganisms and the item or area being sanitized.
There are various methods of sanitization, including washing with soap and water, using sanitizing wipes or solutions, boiling, steaming, UV irradiation, or applying substances such as alcohol-based hand rubs. These methods aim to destroy or inhibit the growth of pathogens, ensuring a hygienic environment and reducing the risk of contamination.
Sanitizing is especially important in healthcare settings, where proper sanitization protocols are crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections. It also extends to food safety practices, ensuring that surfaces, utensils, and equipment are thoroughly sanitized to avoid cross-contamination and protect consumers.
In summary, sanitizing refers to the act of cleaning and disinfecting to remove or reduce harmful microorganisms from various surfaces, objects, or living organisms to maintain cleanliness and hygiene and prevent the spread of diseases.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "sanitizing" is derived from the adjective "sanitize", which in turn comes from the noun "sanitation". "Sanitation" can be traced back to the Latin word "sanitas", meaning "health", "soundness", or "wholeness". The Latin term "sanitas" eventually evolved into the Late Latin noun "sanitās", which specifically referred to the state of being healthy. From there, the word passed into Middle English, and by the late 18th century, it started being used in the context of cleanliness and hygiene, giving rise to the verb form "sanitize" and its present participle "sanitizing".
