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
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quizWords of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizTrue or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quizSCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share sterile
Time Traveler for sterile
The first known use of sterile was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century