infertile

adjective

in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfər-tᵊl How to pronounce infertile (audio)
: not fertile or productive
infertile eggs
infertile fields
especially : incapable of or unsuccessful in achieving pregnancy
infertile couples
infertility noun

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
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.
An older study from 2009 showed that velvet bean extract improved hormone levels and increased sperm count and motility in infertile men.21 Yohimbe Extract Studies have shown that yohimbe extract or yohimbine has been shown to cause smooth muscle relaxation. Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2025 Factors such as genetic disorders and biology put Jews at a much higher risk of being infertile compared with the national average. Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025 The move would be to the island's infertile interior, which was left uninhabitable due to extensive phosphate mining from the 1900s onwards, which was exported for fertilizer for about 100 years. Alex Ledsom, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Jackie and Shadow previously welcomed sets of chicks in 2019 and 2022 so fans know the two are not infertile, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infertile

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of infertile was in 1597

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infertile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infertile. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

infertile

adjective
in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfərt-ᵊl How to pronounce infertile (audio)
: not fertile or productive : barren
infertility noun

Medical Definition

infertile

adjective
in·​fer·​tile (ˈ)in-ˈfərt-ᵊl How to pronounce infertile (audio)
: 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 noun
plural infertilities

More from Merriam-Webster on infertile

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