1. lacking the ability to move spontaneously or independently
Usage: biology; medicine

Examples

• The bacteria were classified as nonmotile because they could not swim through the culture medium.
• Nonmotile sperm cannot fertilize an egg naturally.
• Plants are generally nonmotile organisms that remain fixed in one location.
• The microscope revealed that the microorganisms were completely nonmotile.
• Nonmotile cells rely on external forces for movement.
• The patient’s sperm sample showed a high percentage of nonmotile cells.