- 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.
- 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.
- the fact or condition of not producing vegetation; barrenness: Effects of desertification include land degradation, soil sterility and erosion, and loss of biodiversity.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
