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

The visual clash of serene pastoral meeting sterile corporate is remarkable. —Erin Qualey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025

Here, the sterile, ice-laden landscape is unforgiving and one mistake can cost you your life. —Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 30 Jan. 2025

Now, in a small hospital where soft sobs echoed off the sterile linoleum floors, Aaron Easton, the boy Sara married who grew up to be Marysville’s police chief, explained what happened: Sara had shot herself in the head. —Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 26 Jan. 2025

Because isn’t that what effectively happens to an innie who will never again awaken in a sterile elevator? —Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025

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