fertility

noun

fer·til·i·ty | \ (ˌ)fər-ˈti-lə-tē

Definition of fertility

1 : the quality or state of being fertile

2 : the birthrate 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

The pagan traditions celebrated the springtime renewal of life and fertility as well as the goddess of dawn and spring, Eastre (or Oestre or Ostara). — Jenae Sitzes, Country Living, "The Easter Bunny Origin Story: Where Did The Easter Bunny Actually Come From?," 8 Mar. 2019 Priests would then wear these skins in the hopes of ensuring regeneration across society, from crops to fertility. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Archaeologists Discover Temple to Aztec 'Flayed Lord'," 4 Jan. 2019 Plus, a lot of people, particularly in the fertility industry, aren’t really afraid of the FDA. — Julia Belluz, Vox, "The case for and against CRISPR IVF clinics opening in the US.," 6 Dec. 2018 But in legal, less-scandalous cases, the online connections are also highlighting the complex consequences of America’s lax regulations of the fertility industry, particularly on sperm and egg donations. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Sperm donor #2757 sired at least 45 kids—now they’re connecting online," 13 Sep. 2018 As if in proof, some of the families affected by the University Hospitals fertility freezer incident in March gathered Saturday afternoon at Woodvale Cemetery to mourn their lost opportunity for children. — Plain Dealer Staff, cleveland.com, "Families mourn at service for lost eggs and embryos (photos)," 12 May 2018 After getting the all-clear from the psychiatrist, my doctor put me on a regimen of fertility drugs that essentially helped to stimulate ovulation and support and maintain an early pregnancy. — Kate Willsky, SELF, "What It’s Like to Deal With Anorexia While You’re Pregnant," 8 Feb. 2019 In a similar case that already happened, a fertility doc made a three-parent baby and all the FDA did was send him a warning a year later. — Julia Belluz, Vox, "The case for and against CRISPR IVF clinics opening in the US.," 6 Dec. 2018 Otherwise, a fertility app could be useful in helping you keep track of your cycle. — Amy Capetta, Woman's Day, "When Are You Most Fertile?," 18 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fertility.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.