Which term describes any process that eliminates or kills bacteria and other living microorganisms?

The term that describes any process that eliminates or kills bacteria and other living microorganisms is sterilization. Sterilization refers to a comprehensive procedure that ensures all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores, are completely destroyed or removed. This is achieved through various methods such as autoclaving, chemical sterilants, or dry heat.

In contrast, sanitization aims to reduce the number of microorganisms to a level considered safe, which does not guarantee complete elimination. Disinfection is aimed at killing or inactivating most pathogenic microorganisms but typically does not achieve the complete eradication that sterilization does. Decontamination is a broader term that involves cleaning and disinfecting, making surfaces or items safe by reducing harmful pathogens but does not imply complete elimination as sterilization does. Thus, sterilization is the process that specifically denotes the complete destruction of all microorganisms, making it the correct term in this context.