sterility
stuh-RIL-uh-tee
/stəˈrɪləti/
The inability to produce offspring or seeds; state of being free from living microorganisms.
Has two distinct standard domains: biological infertility (reproduction) and medical cleanliness (aseptic conditions).
The story behind the word. From Latin 'sterilis', meaning barren or unproductive. Later, in the 19th century, Louis Pasteur's germ theory expanded the word's meaning to describe environments completely free of live microorganisms.
Word relationships
- barrenness: Barrenness is a literary or old-fashioned term; sterility is scientific and precise.
- infertility: Infertility can be temporary or treatable, whereas sterility often implies permanent inability to reproduce.
- fertility: Fertility is the ability to reproduce.
- fecundity: Fecundity is high potential biological capacity for childbearing.
Commonly confused with
- austerity: Austerity means strict economy or severity; sterility means inability to reproduce or freedom from germs.
Word family
- sterile (adjective): Not capable of producing offspring; free from bacteria or living microorganisms.
- sterilize (verb): To make free from bacteria or render incapable of producing offspring.
- sterilization (noun): The process of making something sterile.
Collocations
- cause sterility
- ensure sterility
- biological sterility
- total sterility
Example sentences
- "Certain chemical exposures were linked to permanent sterility in laboratory test subjects." Medical diagnosis
- "Maintaining total sterility in the operating theater is essential to prevent hospital-acquired infections." Surgical procedures
Memory hook
STERile = STIFF and rigid like dry land that produces nothing. Sterility = no live offspring, no living germs.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'frugality' or 'poverty'.
Fun facts
- The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) releases mass-sterilized male insects into agricultural areas to eliminate crop pest populations naturally.
Explore more words
sterile, sterilization, sterilize, fertility, pristine, asymptomatic
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