sterile

adjective

ster·​ile ˈster-əl 

 chiefly British  -ˌī(-ə)l

1

a

: failing to bear or incapable of producing fruit or spores

b

: failing to produce or incapable of producing offspring

a sterile hybrid

c

: incapable of germinating

sterile spores

d

of a flower : neither perfect nor pistillate

2

a

: unproductive of vegetation

a sterile arid region

b

: free from living organisms and especially pathogenic microorganisms

a sterile syringe

c

: lacking in stimulating emotional or intellectual quality : lifeless

a sterile work of art

sterilely

ˈster-ə(l)-lē 

 chiefly British  -ˌī(-ə)(l)-lē

adverb

sterility

stə-ˈri-lə-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• barren
• fruitless
• impotent
• infertile
• unfruitful

Examples of sterile in a Sentence

a sterile dressing for a wound

sterile couples sometimes choose to adopt needy children

Recent Examples on the Web

Some describe it as sterile and spiritless compared to rival neighborhoods in London’s Square Mile and the West End. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 13 May 2024

Of course, background music wouldn’t be possible to pipe in while cameras were rolling, but that pin-drop-quiet dining room felt so eerie and sterile. —Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 9 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English steryle, from Latin sterilis; akin to Goth stairo barren animal, Sanskrit starī sterile cow

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sterile

• male-sterile
• self-sterile

Kids Definition

sterile

adjective

ster·​ile ˈster-əl 

1

: not able to produce fruit, crops, or offspring : not fertile

sterile soil

2

: free from microscopic living things and especially germs (as bacteria and viruses)

a sterile dressing for a wound

sterility

stə-ˈril-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

sterile

adjective

ster·​ile

ˈster-əl, chiefly British -ˌīl

1

: failing to produce or incapable of producing offspring

a sterile hybrid

compare infertile

2

: free from living organisms and especially microorganisms

a sterile syringe

a sterile cyst

sterilely

-əl-(l)ē 

adverb

sterility

stə-ˈril-ət-ē 

noun

plural sterilities