fertility

noun

fer·​til·​i·​ty (ˌ)fər-ˈti-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being fertile

2

: the birth rate of a population

Examples of fertility in a Sentence

She studied the effects of pollution on the fertility of the local fish population.

The doctor ordered a test of his fertility.

The area is known for its soil fertility.

the fertility of his imagination

Recent Examples on the Web

Na'amoana and her husband Jortham did not use fertility treatments. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

But fails to mention any impact of glyphosate on fertility, which has been shown to be significant. — Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Non-breeding mole-rat females are known to run high on prolactin, a hormone that also suppresses fertility during lactation in nursing mammals. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

Advances in fertility treatments have also expanded the options for starting a family later in life. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fertility

• ability
• agility
• civility
• debility
• docility
• ductility
• facility
• fragility
• futility
• gentility
• hostility
• humility

Medical Definition

fertility

noun

fer·​til·​i·​ty (ˌ)fər-ˈtil-ət-ē 

plural fertilities

1

: the quality or state of being fertile

2

: the birth rate of a population