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steric

American  
[ster-ik, steer-] / ˈstɛr ɪk, ˈstɪər- /
Sometimes sterical

adjective

Chemistry.
  1. of or relating to the spatial relationships of atoms in a molecule.


steric British  
/ ˈstɛrɪk, ˈstɪər- /

adjective

  1. chem of, concerned with, or caused by the spatial arrangement of atoms in a molecule

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of steric

First recorded in 1895–1900; ster(eo)- + -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

In this study, the researchers investigated structures that inhibit the migration of fuel molecules through electro-osmotic drag and steric hindrance.

From Science Daily Sep. 22, 2023

The allosteric effector alters the steric structure of the enzyme, usually affecting the configuration of the active site.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

Evidence suggests that accumulation of ice on the Antarctic continent has been offsetting the steric effect for at least several centuries.

From The Wall Street Journal May 15, 2018

The carbon-ring-opening reaction pathway, while increasing the steric availability of the H atom, might be a slow step.

From Nature May 24, 2016

Chemistry has its covalent bonds and steric effects, geology has its weathering and tectonic shifts, neurology has its memory potentiation and plasticity and sociology has its conflict theory.

From Scientific American Jul. 23, 2012

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