The process of destroying or eliminating all microorganisms (bacteria, spores, etc.), used for making instruments, media, etc., sterile (often used as 'to sterilize').
手術前に器具はすべて滅菌しておかなければならない。
All instruments must be sterilized before surgery.
この滅菌パックはオートクレーブで滅菌済みです。
This sterilization pack has been autoclaved (sterilized).
研究室では培地や器具の滅菌が特に重要だ。
Sterilization of media and instruments is especially important in the laboratory.