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Glite Dictionary
🧴 A germ killer 💻 A cleaning tool
sanitizer

sanitizer

1 4.1
A computer program that removes private data from files and finds bugs
  • noun
  • /ˈsænɪˌtaɪzər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sanitizador

Examples

  • Dips, coatings, and sanitizers are also important in maintaining the quality of fresh-cut produce.

    Academic text (2006)

  • This soil residue could have compromised the sanitizer's effectiveness by shielding microorganisms from contact with it.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Can be used as toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, body soap, laundry soap, dish soap, for use in enemas, to clean your dogs, as a surface cleaner, a mild sanitizer, and everything!

    Blog text (16)

  • The software sanitizer detected several programming errors in the code before it was released.

  • Using a file sanitizer helps ensure that sensitive information is removed from documents before sharing.

  • The developer relied on a powerful sanitizer tool to make the application safer for users.

Synonyms

checking program
vssanitizer
  • Specialized
4.2

A computer program that finds mistakes in other programs' code

is broader, removing sensitive data or finding various safety issues

How Protective

fuzzing
  • Specialized
1 8.0
sanitizer
  • Specialized
1 4.1
scanner
357 3.3
validator
1 4.4
checker
34 3.0

Surface Forms

sanitizer singular
sanitizers plural

Morphology

sanitizer = sanitize (semi-transparent) = sanitize + er

Formally an agent noun from 'sanitize' + '-er', but the software sense is a specialized metaphorical extension which may not be obvious to all learners.

Etymology

Sanitizer comes from the Latin sanus, which means 'healthy', and it shares the same root as sanitary and sanitation. A helpful way to remember the software sense is to think of a sanitizer as 'cleaning' data or code on a computer by removing private or dangerous parts so the file stays 'healthy' and safe to share.