sterile

adjective

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

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Other Words from sterile

sterilely \ ˈster-ə(l)-lē

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

sterility \ stə-ˈri-lə-tē

\ noun

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

The sterile neutrinos can, however, participate in flavor oscillations. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Weird neutrino excess won’t go away, hints at new physics," 8 June 2018 The team suggested that the μ antineutrinos could be morphing into sterile neutrinos, which in turn morphed into electron antineutrinos. — Adrian Cho, Science | AAAS, "Reports of sterile neutrino’s resurrection may be greatly exaggerated," 4 June 2018 His office was tidy to the point of seeming sterile. — Annie Correal, New York Times, "What Drove a Man to Set Himself on Fire in Brooklyn?," 28 May 2018 Everyone should have a sterile eyewash made of purified water for emergencies like this, Dr. Gorski says. — Kasandra Brabaw, SELF, "So, You Got Semen in Your Eye. Here's What to Do," 1 Mar. 2019 The animal is 25 to 30 percent heavier than your typical Mongolian cattle, and while these beasts of burden are sterile, their meat is considered far superior to that of either of their parents. — Olivia Putnal, Woman's Day, "10 Unusual Animal Hybrids," 21 Sep. 2010 Or perhaps MiniBooNE has discovered something big, but not sterile neutrinos. — Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, "Evidence Builds for a New Kind of Neutrino," 7 June 2018 Related Urine is not sterile, contrary to popular belief. — NBC News, "Hard-to-kill germs may be lurking in your hotel pool, CDC says," 17 May 2018 Ford's trick to making white on white chic — not sterile — is pairing it with all kinds of textures, and turning to two riffs on the color. — Candace Braun Davison, House Beautiful, "The Two Paint Colors Designer Leanne Ford Swears By," 10 May 2018

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.