sterility
sterility — noun
1. the physical state of a person, animal, or plant in which they are permanently u
the physical state of a person, animal, or plant in which they are permanently unable to have babies, young, seeds, or fruit.
Doctors told Bilal and Yasmin that tests would find the cause of their sterility.
collocation: cause of sterility
New medical treatments have helped many couples overcome sterility and start a family.
collocation: overcome sterility
Veterinarians studied the mare's sterility to understand why she never gave birth to foals.
The ancient olive tree's sterility puzzled the farmers, as it stopped producing olives entirely.
- infertility
more common in everyday medical talk; can be temporary or permanent
- barrenness
old-fashioned and mainly used for land or plants, not people
- fertility
the ability to produce offspring
用法筆記
Often used in medical and veterinary contexts. 'Sterility' typically implies a permanent condition, whereas 'infertility' may suggest a temporary or treatable problem.
常見錯誤
2. a situation in which there is no new thinking, imagination, or creative energy,
a situation in which there is no new thinking, imagination, or creative energy, so that nothing fresh or worthwhile comes from a person's work or from an intellectual activity.
The director's recent films were criticised for their sterility and lack of original ideas.
collocation: sterility of films / creative work
After twelve years in the office, Sofia felt a growing sterility in her design work.
Critics noted the sterility of the political debate, which repeated old arguments without new thinking.
The artist left the city to escape the sterility of the commercial art scene.
- barrenness
a more literary and dramatic synonym for lack of creative output
- emptiness
less formal; focuses on the absence of meaning rather than new ideas
- creativity
the ability to produce fresh ideas
- originality
the quality of being new and different
用法筆記
Used in formal or critical writing about art, literature, intellectual work, or public discussion. It describes a type of emptiness or exhaustion, not physical tiredness.
常見錯誤
3. the state of a surface, object, or space being so thoroughly cleaned that no bac
the state of a surface, object, or space being so thoroughly cleaned that no bacteria or other tiny organisms that cause illness remain on it.
Surgical instruments must be kept in a state of complete sterility before every operation.
collocation: complete sterility
The lab technician checked the sterility of the glass containers before adding the chemical solution.
Hospitals use high-temperature steam machines to ensure sterility in all operating rooms.
The nurse wrapped the tools in a sealed bag to protect their sterility before surgery.
- asepsis
the technical medical term for being free from harmful microorganisms
- cleanliness
more general; a clean surface is not necessarily sterile
- contamination
the presence of unwanted or harmful substances or germs
用法筆記
Common in medical, laboratory, and food-production contexts. 'Sterility' describes the state itself, while 'sterilisation' refers to the process of achieving it. Do not confuse with general 'cleanliness' — a clean surface can still carry germs.