Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

sterile

[ster-il, -ahyl] / ˈstɛr ɪl, -aɪl /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Female screwworm flies produce eggs only once in a lifetime, and once they mate with a sterile male fly, they’re done with their reproduction cycle without having any offspring.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

Female screwworm flies produce eggs only once in a lifetime, and once they mate with a sterile male fly, they’re done with their reproduction cycle without having any offspring.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

Secretary Brooke Rollins said the agency had already deployed millions of sterile flies after the first Texas case was confirmed last week, and would continue with more releases in newly confirmed areas.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

When produced and released in large numbers, sterile male flies mate with wild female flies, which then lay unfertilized eggs, according to the USDA.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

I will apologize for being weird at lunch, for talking about how pee is sterile.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin




Vocabulary lists containing sterile


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "sterile" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com