1. plural of autoclave; devices that use high pressure and steam to sterilize medical instruments, laboratory equipment, or other materials
Usage: commonly used in medical, dental, and laboratory settings

1. third-person singular present tense of autoclave; to sterilize something using an autoclave
Usage: technical/medical usage

Examples

• The hospital uses multiple autoclaves to sterilize surgical instruments daily.
• The dental office autoclaves all tools between patient appointments.
• Laboratory autoclaves must reach temperatures above 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
• She autoclaves the equipment every morning before the clinic opens.
• Modern autoclaves can process a full load of instruments in under 30 minutes.
• The new autoclaves in the research facility are more energy-efficient than the old ones.