infertile

adjective

in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfər-tᵊl 

: not fertile or productive

infertile eggs

infertile fields

especially : incapable of or unsuccessful in achieving pregnancy

infertile couples

infertility

ˌin-(ˌ)fər-ˈti-lə-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• barren
• fruitless
• impotent
• sterile
• unfruitful

Examples of infertile in a Sentence

an infertile cow is of limited use to a farmer

only parched, infertile fields remained after months of drought

Recent Examples on the Web

For instance, 1 in 10 people who experience pelvic inflammatory disease become infertile. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 11 Dec. 2024

It is often used to help infertile couples conceive biological children. —Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 14 June 2024

For infertile couples, the government will update policies so that if fertility procedures fail, financial support won't be clawed back. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

Some women—including those rendered infertile by cancer or other medical conditions—need donor eggs. —Alex Knapp, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from Late Latin infertilis, from Latin in- + fertilis fertile

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

infertile

adjective

in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfərt-ᵊl 

: not fertile or productive : barren

infertility

ˌin-(ˌ)fər-ˈtil-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

infertile

adjective

in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfərt-ᵊl 

: not fertile

especially : incapable of or unsuccessful in achieving pregnancy over a considerable period of time (as a year) in spite of determined attempts by heterosexual intercourse without contraception

infertile couples

an infertile male with a low sperm count

an infertile female with blocked fallopian tubes

compare sterile sense 1

infertility

ˌin-(ˌ)fər-ˈtil-ət-ē 

noun

plural infertilities