steric hindrance

noun

Any of several effects, most common in organic chemistry, in which the structure or reactivity of a molecule is affected by the physical size and proximity of neighbouring parts of the molecule.

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Meanings

nounsteric hindrance (countable and uncountable, plural steric hindrances)

plural steric hindrances

  1. countableuncountablechemistryAny of several effects, most common in organic chemistry, in which the structure or reactivity of a molecule is affected by the physical size and proximity of neighbouring parts of the molecule.
Cite this entry
APA

steric hindrance. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/steric%20hindrance

MLA

“steric hindrance.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/steric%20hindrance. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “steric hindrance,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/steric%20hindrance.

Source: steric hindrance on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.