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

Russia is in the midst of a demographic crisis, with fertility rates at 1.4 children per woman, far below the 2.1 threshold that demographers say is needed to keep the population at its current level.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

The second phase - population enumeration - is scheduled for February 2027 and will collect detailed data on demographics, education, migration and fertility.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Migration histories, duration of residence, fertility patterns and detailed employment classifications became standard.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

That includes a national child-care subsidy and a pledge that women will face no out-of-pocket costs during pregnancy, with medical expenses, including fertility treatments, folded into the national insurance system.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

But we’re still talking about a few nice trees here and there whereas in England I was drowning in fertility.

From "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff

Related Words

• potency
• pregnancy
• productivity
• virility