Etymology Map
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Sterile

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means free from bacteria; unable to reproduce

Where does the word "sterile" come from? It comes from Latin sterilis, passing through French before entering English (1550s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
sterilis
Latin · ancient
"barren"
related to Greek 'steira', barren cow
2
Stage 2 of 3
sterile
French · 1500s
"barren"
Pasteur's work in the 1860s gave 'sterilize' its medical sense
3
Stage 3 of 3
sterile
English · 1550s
"barren"
'sterilized' medical tools date from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Sterile’s story begins in Latin: sterilis meant “barren.” Related to Greek 'steira', barren cow. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as sterile. Pasteur's work in the 1860s gave 'sterilize' its medical sense. It reached English by 1550s as sterile. 'sterilized' medical tools date from the 1800s. Today, sterile means free from bacteria; unable to reproduce.