different between sterilization vs sterile

English

Alternative forms

• sterilisation

Etymology

sterile +? -ization

Noun

sterilization (countable and uncountable, plural sterilizations)

1. (uncountable) The process of treating something to kill or inactivate microorganisms.

   Heat sterilization is used during canning so the food can be safely stored for long periods.

2. (uncountable) A procedure to permanently prevent an organism from reproducing.

   Spaying a cat is a form of sterilization to limit the population growth.

3. (countable) an instance of a sterilization procedure

   The vet performed several sterilizations this week.
4. (uncountable) A monetary policy operation used to offset a foreign exchange intervention.

   The Federal Reserve is responsible for foreign exchange sterilization.

Related terms

• sterilize

Translations

See also

• autoclave
• sanitization

English

Etymology

From Middle French stérile, from Latin sterilis (“barren, futile”). See also Ancient Greek ?????? (steîra).

Pronunciation

• enPR: st?r??l, st?r??l"
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?st???l/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?st??a?l/
• Rhymes: -???l, -??a?l

Adjective

sterile (comparative more sterile, superlative most sterile)

1. (not comparable) Unable to reproduce (or procreate).
2. (figuratively) Terse; lacking sentiment or emotional stimulation, as in a manner of speaking.
3. (figuratively) Fruitless, uninspiring, or unproductive.
4. Germless; free from all living or viable microorganisms.

5. Free from dangerous objects, as a zone in an airport that can be only be entered via a security checkpoint.
6. (US, military) Of weapons: foreign-made and untraceable to the United States.
   • 1990, Leroy Thompson, The US Army in Vietnam (page 111)

     In addition to this rapid supply system, the US Army Counterinsurgency Support Office on Okinawa helped procure special equipment including rucksacks, special rations for irregular troops, 'sterile' weapons which could not be traced to the USA and other items not procurable through foreign channels.

Synonyms

• (unable to procreate): barren, infertile

Antonyms

• non-sterile, nonsterile
• unsterile

Related terms

• sterilisation / sterilization
• sterilise / sterilize
• sterilised / sterilized
• sterility

Translations

Anagrams

• Leister, leister, reliest, retiles, treiles

German

Pronunciation

Adjective

sterile

1. inflection of steril:
   1. strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
   2. strong nominative/accusative plural
   3. weak nominative all-gender singular
   4. weak accusative feminine/neuter singular

Interlingua

Adjective

sterile (not comparable)

1. sterile

Italian

Etymology

From Latin sterilis.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?st?.ri.le/

Adjective

sterile (plural sterili)

1. sterile, barren, unprolific, infertile
2. sterile, sterilized (medicine)
3. vain, pointless
4. unproductive

Related terms

• sterilità
• sterilizzato
• sterilizzazione
• sterilizzare
• sterilire

Further reading

• sterile in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana

Latin

Adjective

sterile

1. nominative neuter singular of sterilis
2. accusative neuter singular of sterilis
3. vocative neuter singular of sterilis

Norwegian Bokmål

Adjective

sterile

1. definite singular/plural of steril

Norwegian Nynorsk

Adjective

sterile

1. definite singular/plural of steril