sterile

BrE /ˈstɛrɪl/ AmE /ˈstɛrɪl/

adjective en → es

1 HYGIENE [attributive, predicative] B1

free from living microorganisms, especially bacteria and viruses; medically clean or disinfected

estéril, libre de bacterias y virus

  • a sterile environment

Collocations sterile equipment · sterile conditions

  • The hospital uses sterile instruments for surgery.

    El hospital usa instrumentos estériles para cirugías.

2 FERTILITY [attributive, predicative] B1

unable to produce offspring; infertile

estéril, no fértil

  • a sterile environment

Collocations sterile land · sterile soil

  • The couple tried various treatments to overcome their sterility.

    La pareja intentó varios tratamientos para superar su esterilidad.

3 LITERARY [attributive, predicative] C1

lacking in emotion or vitality; cold and unfeeling

frío, sin emoción o vitalidad

  • a sterile conversation

Collocations sterile atmosphere · sterile relationship

  • The meeting was a sterile discussion of technical details.

    La reunión fue una discusión estéril sobre detalles técnicos.