Final answer:
When an agent is bactericidal, it means that it has the ability to kill bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
When we say that an agent is bactericidal, it means that the agent has the ability to kill bacteria. Bactericidal agents work by causing irreversible damage to the bacterial cells, leading to their death. These agents are effective against vegetative cells and certain enveloped viruses, but they may not be able to kill endospores which are highly resistant structures formed by some bacteria.