What is a correct definition of sterilization?

Sterilization is defined as the process that completely eliminates all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. This is critical in various contexts, especially in medical and cosmetological settings, where the risk of infection must be minimized. Achieving full sterilization necessitates methods that can destroy all microorganisms to ensure the safety of tools or surfaces.

The other options describe different levels or types of cleaning. Reducing the number of pathogens refers to disinfection, which lowers the microbial load but does not eliminate all organisms. Cleaning visible dirt relates to sanitation, which focuses on removing dirt and impurities rather than killing all microorganisms. Finally, applying a disinfectant refers to using chemical agents to kill pathogens on surfaces but does not guarantee the complete eradication of all microorganisms. Thus, the definition encompassing the complete elimination of microorganisms aligns precisely with the rigorous standards of sterilization.