Sterile

Pronunciation

• enPR: stÄ•r'É™l
• US IPA: /ˈstɛɹəl/
• UK IPA: /ˈstɛɹaɪl/
• Rhymes: -ɛɹəl, -ɛɹaɪl

Origin

From Middle French stérile, from Latin sterilis ("barren, futile"). See also Ancient Greek στεῖρα.

Full definition of sterile

Adjective

1. (uncomparable) Unable to reproduce (or procreate).
2. Unprofitable.
3. Germless; free from all living or viable microorganisms.
   a sterile kitchen table

Synonyms

• (unable to procreate) barren, infertile

Related terms

• sterilisation
  sterilization
• sterilise
  sterilize
• sterilised
  sterilized
• sterility

Anagrams

• leister, retiles