Free from bacteria or other living microorganisms; completely clean. The surgical instruments must be kept in a sterile environment to prevent infection.
Lacking in imagination, creativity, or excitement; uninspiring or unproductive. The sterile office environment made it difficult for the team to come up with innovative ideas.
Incapable of producing offspring; infertile. The couple was disappointed to learn that their pet rabbit was sterile and could not have babies.
Producing little or no vegetation or fruit; barren or unfruitful. After years of overgrazing, the once-fertile pasture became largely sterile land.