sterility

[ stuh-ril-i-tee ]

noun

1. the fact or condition of being free from living germs or microorganisms:

   Perhaps the most critical aspect of packaging is the barrier seal that maintains the sterility of the product.

2. the fact or condition of being incapable of producing offspring:

   A growing body of studies have linked these foods to birth defects, fertility problems, and sterility.

3. the fact or condition of not producing vegetation; barrenness:

   Effects of desertification include land degradation, soil sterility and erosion, and loss of biodiversity.

4. failure to produce results, ideas, etc.; fruitlessness:

   One indication of the sterility of the authors’ approach is the lack of any questions for further study emerging from their 400-page book.

5. the quality of lacking vitality, vibrancy, interest, etc.:

   The sterility of the white decor was counterbalanced with woven accents, pops of color, and an eclectic display of handcrafted finds.

6. Botany. the inability, or limited ability, of a plant to produce pollen or ova:

   The study showed that high temperatures cause male sterility in rice plants.

Other Words From

• an·ti·ste·ril·i·ty noun
• non·ste·ril·i·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sterility¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin sterilitāt-, stem of sterilitās, equivalent to sterili(s) “barren, unfruitful” + -tās -ty ²( def ); sterile ( def )

Example Sentences

Most recently, drug company Brassica Pharma recalled four eye ointments sold in stores, including Walmart and CVS, after a Food and Drug Administration inspection flagged potential sterility issues.

From Seattle Times

"The transition is highly conserved in almost everything from insects to humans. Defects in this process can also cause male sterility in humans."

From Science Daily

Four eye ointments sold in stores including Walmart and CVS are being recalled because of a potential risk of eye infections or related harm, after U.S. investigators raised concerns about the potential lack of sterility.

From New York Times

Aiming to create a nuanced portrayal of grief, balancing the sterility of death with the warmth of human connection, Noer found himself writing something humorous.

From Los Angeles Times

It can lead to impotence and sterility in men and threaten a fetus if a pregnant person is exposed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• impotence
• infertility