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
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
That’s especially true for medications that are intended to be sterile, like eyedrops, as contamination can lead to permanent eye damage in people who use these products.
—
Keren Landman, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
Health Care The Big Story IV fluid expiration dates extended
Federal regulators have approved a change to the expiration dates for multiple types of intravenous (IV) and sterile fluids made at a key manufacturing plant recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 29 Oct. 2024
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In 1997, a team of scientists reared several chicken eggs in two different incubators: one was a normal, sterile incubator, while the other one was infused with the sweet, fruity aroma of strawberries.
—Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024
One of the hottest novelties that awaits is the Squid Game Pavilion in Lucca’s central Piazza San Michele, that will include a replica of the sterile Squid Game dormitory where a few lucky fans will be able to spend the night.
—John Bleasdale, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sterile 
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Keren Landman, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
Health Care The Big Story IV fluid expiration dates extended
Federal regulators have approved a change to the expiration dates for multiple types of intravenous (IV) and sterile fluids made at a key manufacturing plant recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 29 Oct. 2024
Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
In 1997, a team of scientists reared several chicken eggs in two different incubators: one was a normal, sterile incubator, while the other one was infused with the sweet, fruity aroma of strawberries.
—Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024
One of the hottest novelties that awaits is the Squid Game Pavilion in Lucca’s central Piazza San Michele, that will include a replica of the sterile Squid Game dormitory where a few lucky fans will be able to spend the night.
—John Bleasdale, Variety, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sterile
Dictionary Entries Near sterile
Cite this Entry
“Sterile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sterile. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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