Sterility has several meanings:

1. The quality or state of being unable to reproduce. The term may be used of higher plants or animals.

2. An aseptic condition, meaning an absence of living things, as in microbiology or the environment. See also sterile technique and sterilization (microbiology).

3. Sterility in medicine and surgery indicates a micro-environment (the surgical field) made free of infectious microorganisms.

4. In literature and art suggests work that does not arouse the intellect or the emotions.

Estéril | Stérilité (homonymie) | Estéril