Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

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  
/ ˈstɪər-, ˈstɛrɪk /

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

Derived 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.

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

Essential to this goal will be modularity with respect to catalyst design, such that aromatic motifs may be readily installed with varying steric and electronic properties at multiple catalyst positions.

From Nature • Mar. 28, 2017

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

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "steric" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com