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

About two-thirds of humanity now lives in countries where fertility is too low for each generation to replace itself. — Daron Acemoglu, Time, 7 Nov. 2026

For more on the midterm implications, go here; and for more on the fertility procedure, go here. — Damian Garde, STAT, 6 Nov. 2026

More than 3,000 years later, women from nearby villages still come, hoping its waters will serve as a fertility aid or a balm for their sick children, says my guide Ahmed Hassan, who was born and raised on this side of the Nile. — Selina Denman, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Nov. 2026

Lacob already envisions their menstrual fluid data being able to reveal vital information about the ovarian environment, giving insights into not just the quantity, but the quality of eggs, a frequent blind spot in fertility care. — Fiorella Valdesolo, Allure, 30 Oct. 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