fertility

[ fer-til-i-tee ]

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.

fertility

/ fɜːˈtɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the ability to produce offspring, esp abundantly
2. the state or quality of being fertile

Other Words From

• nonfer·tili·ty noun
• over·fer·tili·ty noun
• prefer·tili·ty noun
• unfer·tili·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fertility¹

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

Example Sentences

Later that summer he led a discussion about population and the border at a board retreat in Michigan, and at the next board meeting, according to the minutes, he continued to press the issue, saying that “immigration drives us to higher fertility.”

From Salon

Increased awareness has to come from the medical fraternity, says Dr Satwik, adding that there need to be as many talks on menopause or perimenopause as there are on fertility and adolescent health.

From BBC

Despite claims on social media that the 4B movement is behind South Korea’s dismal fertility rate, there is little evidence to back this up.

From Los Angeles Times

South Korea’s fertility rate — the average number of children a woman has in her lifetime — currently sits at 0.72, the lowest in the world and far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population.

From Los Angeles Times

Like most advanced economies, South Korea’s fertility rate has steadily been falling since 1980.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• potency
• pregnancy
• productivity
• virility