ste|reo|typi|cal /ste rioʊt I p I k ə l/ ADJ A stereotypical idea of a type of person or thing is a fixed general idea that a lot of people have about it, that may be false in many cases. □ Dara challenges our stereotypical ideas about gender and femininity.
ster|ile /ste ra I l, [AM ] -rəl/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is sterile is completely clean and free from germs. □ He always made sure that any cuts were protected by sterile dressings. ● ste|ril|ity /stər I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the antiseptic sterility of the hospital.
2 ADJ A person or animal that is sterile is unable to have or produce babies. □ George was sterile. □ …a sterile male. ● ste|ril|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ This disease causes sterility in both males and females.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A sterile situation is lacking in energy and new ideas. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Too much time has been wasted in sterile debate. ● ste|ril|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the sterility of Dorothea's life in industry.
steri|lize /ste r I la I z/ (sterilizes , sterilizing , sterilized ) in BRIT, also use sterilise 1 VERB If you sterilize a thing or a place, you make it completely clean and free from germs. □ [V n] Sulphur is also used to sterilize equipment. ● steri|li|za|tion /ste r I la I ze I ʃ ə n, [AM ] -l I z-/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the pasteurization and sterilization of milk.
2 VERB [usu passive] If a person or an animal is sterilized , they have a medical operation that makes it impossible for them to have or produce babies. □ [be V -ed] My wife was sterilized after the birth of her fourth child. ● steri|li|za|tion (sterilizations ) N‑VAR □ In some cases, a sterilization is performed through the vaginal wall.
ster|ling ◆◆◇ /stɜː r l I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Sterling is the money system of Great Britain. □ The stamps had to be paid for in sterling.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Sterling means very good in quality; used to describe someone's work or character. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ Those are sterling qualities to be admired in anyone.
stern /stɜː r n/ (sterner , sternest , sterns )
1 ADJ Stern words or actions are very severe. □ She issued a stern warning to those who persist in violence. ● stern|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ 'We will take the necessary steps,' she said sternly.
2 ADJ Someone who is stern is very serious and strict. □ Her father was stern and hard to please.
3 N‑COUNT The stern of a boat is the back part of it.
ster|num /stɜː r nəm/ (sternums ) N‑COUNT Your sternum is the long flat bone which goes from your throat to the bottom of your ribs and to which your ribs are attached. [MEDICAL ]
ster|oid /ste rɔ I d, [AM ] st I r-/ (steroids ) N‑COUNT A steroid is a type of chemical substance found in your body. Steroids can be artificially introduced into the bodies of athletes to improve their strength.
stetho|scope /ste θəskoʊp/ (stethoscopes ) N‑COUNT A stethoscope is an instrument that a doctor uses to listen to your heart and breathing. It consists of a small disc that is placed on your body, connected to a hollow tube with two pieces that the doctor puts in his or her ears.
Stet|son /ste ts ə n/ (Stetsons ) N‑COUNT A Stetson is a type of hat with a wide brim that is traditionally worn by cowboys. [TRADEMARK ]
ste|via /stiː viə/ N‑UNCOUNT Stevia is a substance taken from a plant which is used to make food taste sweet without adding any calories. □ We sweeten our cookies with stevia.
stew /stjuː , [AM ] stuː / (stews , stewing , stewed )
1 N‑VAR A stew is a meal which you make by cooking meat and vegetables in liquid at a low temperature. □ She served him a bowl of lamb stew. □ They made a stew.
2 VERB When you stew meat, vegetables, or fruit, you cook them slowly in liquid in a closed dish. □ [V n] Stew the apple and blackberries to make a thick pulp.
stew|ard /stjuː ə r d, [AM ] stuː -/ (stewards )
1 N‑COUNT A steward is a man who works on a ship, plane, or train, looking after passengers and serving meals to them.
2 N‑COUNT A steward is a man or woman who helps to organize a race, march, or other public event.
3 → see also shop steward
stew|ard|ess /stjuː ə r de s, stuː -/ (stewardesses ) N‑COUNT A stewardess is a woman who works on a ship, plane, or train, looking after passengers and serving meals to them.
stew|ard|ship /stjuː ə r dʃ I p, [AM ] stuː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Stewardship is the responsibility of looking after property. [FORMAL ]
ste w|ing steak N‑UNCOUNT Stewing steak is beef which is suitable for cooking slowly in a stew. [BRIT ] in AM, use stew meat
ste w meat N‑UNCOUNT Stew meat is the same as stewing steak . [AM ]
stick
➊ NOUN USES
➋ VERB USES
➊ stick ◆◇◇ /st I k/ (sticks )
1 N‑COUNT A stick is a thin branch which has fallen off a tree. □ …people carrying bundles of dried sticks to sell for firewood.
2 N‑COUNT A stick is a long thin piece of wood which is used for supporting someone's weight or for hitting people or animals. □ He looks old and walks with a stick. □ Crowds armed with sticks and stones took to the streets.