infertile
adjective
in·fer·tile
(ˈ)in-ˈfər-tᵊl 
: not fertile or productive
infertile eggs
infertile fields
especially
: incapable of or unsuccessful in achieving pregnancy
infertile couples
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
This is true even if you’ve been previously diagnosed as infertile (unless your doctor tells you otherwise).
—
Rachel Gurevich, Parents, 25 July 2024
Based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 book, the series has won 15 Emmys and features Elisabeth Moss as a handmaid, a woman the government awards to an infertile husband and wife to carry and give birth to their children.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 24 July 2024
In February 2023, researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine tested a non-hormonal drug that could be taken orally or via injection that made male mice temporarily infertile.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 7 July 2024
In agriculture, hot countries that lack fresh water could harness solar power for desalinating and pumping water, enabling farmers to work previously infertile land.
—Dickon Pinner, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2015
See all Example Sentences for infertile 
Rachel Gurevich, Parents, 25 July 2024
Based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 book, the series has won 15 Emmys and features Elisabeth Moss as a handmaid, a woman the government awards to an infertile husband and wife to carry and give birth to their children.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 24 July 2024
In February 2023, researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine tested a non-hormonal drug that could be taken orally or via injection that made male mice temporarily infertile.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 7 July 2024
In agriculture, hot countries that lack fresh water could harness solar power for desalinating and pumping water, enabling farmers to work previously infertile land.
—Dickon Pinner, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2015
See all Example Sentences for infertile
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infertile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Infertile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infertile. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
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Medical Definition
infertile
adjective
in·fer·tile
(ˈ)in-ˈfərt-ᵊl
: 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
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