sterile

adjective

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ster·ile | \ ˈster-əl

, chiefly British -ˌī(-ə)l \

Definition of sterile

1a : 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

2a : 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

Other Words from sterile Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About sterile

Other Words from sterile

sterilely \ ˈster-ə(l)-lē

, chiefly British -ˌī(-ə)(l)-lē \ adverb

sterility \ stə-ˈri-lə-tē

\ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for sterile

Synonyms

Antonyms

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 Novavax has faced challenges in sourcing sufficient quantities of raw materials – such as filters and sterile plastic bags used to grow vaccine cells – which has resulted in delays in the ramp-up of production capacity. — Trefis Team, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021 As the recent rise in mental illness attests, living in a sterile bubble carries its own risks. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2021 As much as 50% of all sterile medical devices in the U.S. are treated with the gas, according to the federal government, which categorized the colorless gas as a cancer-causing agent in 2016. — Brian Eason, ajc, 16 Dec. 2021 Had the safety car stayed out for one more lap, the race would have finished in sterile conditions, but Hamilton would have been world champion. — Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 12 Dec. 2021 The typical process starts with taking a sterile swab from the kit and tracing the inside of each nostril several times. — Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2021 Urine is sterile; the sink gets washed out afterward; and my hands are clean. — Annie Lane, oregonlive, 14 Dec. 2021 Urine is sterile; the sink gets washed out afterward; and my hands are clean. — cleveland, 14 Dec. 2021 And mules, which are sterile and cannot reproduce, served for centuries as the Western world’s preeminent draft animal — pulling plows and rattling farm machines, yes, but also transporting armies to war and wagon trains across the endless prairies. — BostonGlobe.com, 1 Oct. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sterile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.