fertility

noun

fer·​til·​i·​ty (ˌ)fər-ˈti-lə-tē How to pronounce fertility (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The vehicle exploded outside American Reproductive Centers, a fertility clinic with a full-service IVF lab that did not perform abortions. Andres Triay, CBS News, 4 June 2025 Attacks continued in May with the apparent car bombing of a fertility clinic in California. Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 4 June 2025 In Alabama, after the state's Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are people, the state legislature had to step in to allow fertility clinics to continue their work. Jess Mador, NPR, 7 June 2025 Authorities in New York have arrested a person in connection to last month's bombing outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, a federal spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fertility

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fertility was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fertility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertility. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

fertility

noun
fer·​til·​i·​ty (ˌ)fər-ˈtil-ət-ē How to pronounce fertility (audio)
plural fertilities
1
: the quality or state of being fertile
2
: the birth rate of a population
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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