fertility

American  

[fer-til-i-tee] / fərˈtɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. the state or quality of being fertile.

2. Biology.  the ability to produce offspring; power of reproduction.

   the amazing fertility of rabbits.

3. the birthrate of a population.

4. (of soil) the capacity to supply nutrients in proper amounts for plant growth when other factors are favorable.

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fertility British  

/ fɜːˈtɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the ability to produce offspring, esp abundantly

2. the state or quality of being fertile

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Other Word Forms

• nonfertility noun
• overfertility noun
• prefertility noun
• unfertility noun

Etymology

Origin of fertility

1375–1425; late Middle English fertilite (< Middle French ) < Latin fertilitās. See fertile, -ity

Example Sentences

Endometriosis, occurs when cells, similar to the lining of a woman's womb, grow elsewhere in the body and can lead to severe pain and fertility problems.

From BBC

Global fertility rates have been in steady decline since the 1960s, and the trend has quickened in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal

Low fertility rates led to a decline in the number of people of working age, who are relied upon for their pensions by a growing number of retirees.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nelson was still married in 2020 when the fertility clinic called her at work with devastating news: Her husband had just requested the destruction of the embryos they created through in vitro fertilization, or IVF.

From The Wall Street Journal

Projections suggest the global surrogacy market will exceed $129 billion by 2034—fueled not only by men but also by heterosexual couples with fertility challenges.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• potency
• pregnancy
• productivity
• virility