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

Haddish, who is currently on her Funny and Fearless Tour, is typically open about her private life, including her fertility struggles and dating updates. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

Kaylen Silverberg, an outside adviser to the administration, told the Post that the White House had approached him about fertility methods that use holistic health instead of IVF. —Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025

But according to the latest United Nations report, the region's fertility rate had fallen to fewer than two children per woman. —Brian Mann, NPR, 3 Aug. 2025

The sand of the beach and the sea itself were thought to be sterile, in contrast to the fertility of the fields. —Marie-Claire Beaulieu, The Conversation, 28 July 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