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.
For instance, 1 in 10 people who experience pelvic inflammatory disease become infertile. Wendy Wisner, Health, 11 Dec. 2024 It is often used to help infertile couples conceive biological children. Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 14 June 2024 For infertile couples, the government will update policies so that if fertility procedures fail, financial support won't be clawed back. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 Some women—including those rendered infertile by cancer or other medical conditions—need donor eggs. Alex Knapp, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near infertile

Cite this Entry

“Infertile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infertile. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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