sterility: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “sterility” mean?
The complete inability to produce offspring or to produce living, viable, or fertile organisms (biological).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The complete inability to produce offspring or to produce living, viable, or fertile organisms (biological); the state of being free from living microorganisms (asepsis).
A state characterized by a lack of creativity, vitality, emotion, or productive results; barrenness in a figurative sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The extended figurative use is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly negative in figurative use, implying lifelessness, dullness, and unproductiveness.
Frequency
More frequent in medical, biological, and academic contexts than in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “sterility” in a Sentence
the sterility of [NOUN PHRASE]sterility caused by [AGENT]sterility resulting from [CAUSE][VERB: ensure/maintain] sterilityVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sterility” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The sterility of the laboratory was crucial for the experiment.
- They discussed the cultural sterility of the post-war period.
American English
- The surgery required absolute sterility of all instruments.
- Critics pointed to the emotional sterility of his later novels.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in critiques of 'sterile corporate environments' lacking innovation.
Academic
Very common in biology, medicine, and literary/social criticism (e.g., 'the sterility of postmodern architecture').
Everyday
Uncommon. Understood but typically replaced by 'infertility' for the biological sense or descriptive phrases for the figurative.
Technical
Core term in medicine (sterility of instruments), microbiology, and reproductive science.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sterility”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sterility”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sterility”
- Using 'sterility' to mean 'cleanliness' in a general, non-technical sense (e.g., 'the sterility of the kitchen' – use 'cleanliness'). Confusing 'sterility' (inability to reproduce) with 'impotence' (inability to perform sexually).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In medical contexts, they are often synonyms for the inability to conceive. However, 'sterility' can imply a complete and often irreversible state, while 'infertility' may suggest a reduced potential. 'Sterility' also has the distinct meaning of being free from germs.
Yes, but only in its technical sense of 'asepsis'. It is positive to say 'The sterility of the lab was impeccable.' In all figurative uses, it carries a negative connotation.
It is a mid-frequency word, common in specific professional and academic fields but less common in casual everyday conversation.
The adjective is 'sterile'. It covers all meanings: biologically infertile ('a sterile hybrid'), free from germs ('a sterile bandage'), and figuratively barren ('a sterile debate').
The complete inability to produce offspring or to produce living, viable, or fertile organisms (biological).
Sterility is usually formal, technical, academic in register.
Sterility: in British English it is pronounced /stəˈrɪləti/, and in American English it is pronounced /stəˈrɪləti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not a typical idiom carrier. Often appears in phrases like 'a desert of sterility' or 'the cold sterility of...']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **sterile** hospital room—it's clean but empty and lifeless. 'Sterility' is the *state* of being sterile: empty of life or germs.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS FERTILITY / CREATIVITY IS FERTILITY. Therefore, STERILITY IS DEATH / STERILITY IS A LACK OF CREATIVITY.
Practice
Quiz
In a literary critique, 'sterility' most likely refers to: