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

Some of the same countries now worried about low fertility were pushing families to have fewer children just a few decades ago. —Stephanie Psaki, Time, 18 Aug. 2025

Tennis, the first sport to facilitate fertility treatment for athletes in this way, is no stranger to having mothers on tour, including four-time grand slam winner Naomi Osaka, world No. 13 Elina Svitolina and No. 19 Belinda Bencic. —Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025

Administered by Carrot Fertility, the program covers 80% of costs for adoption, surrogacy, and fertility treatments. —Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

China's fertility rate of 1.2 births expected per woman is among the world's lowest. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025

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