sterile

/ˈstɛɹaɪl/adjective

Completely free of germs and other living microorganisms.

Example sentence

“Surgical instruments must be kept sterile at all times.”

Also means unable to produce offspring, and, figuratively, lifeless or unproductive: 'a sterile debate'.

Related words

quarantineA period of keeping people, animals, or plants separated from others to stop a disease from spreading.sanitaryClean and free from germs; relating to good hygiene.epidemicAn outbreak of disease that spreads rapidly and affects large numbers of people at the same time.hygieneHabits and conditions that keep people clean and protect their health.pandemicA disease that spreads across many countries and infects a very large share of the population.sanitizeTo clean or disinfect something so that it is free of germs.