self-fertile

adjective

self-fer·​tile ˌself-ˈfər-tᵊl How to pronounce self-fertile (audio)
: fertile by means of its own pollen or sperm
self-fertility noun

Examples of self-fertile in a Sentence

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.
Although corn is self-fertile, in small backyard plantings less than 5% of the kernels on any corn plant result from self-pollination, while the rest are the result of pollen that comes from another plant. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-fertile was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near self-fertile

Cite this Entry

“Self-fertile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-fertile. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!