infertile

[ in-fur-tl or, esp. British, -tahyl ]
/ ɪnˈfɜr tl or, esp. British, -taɪl /

adjective

not fertile; unproductive; sterile; barren: infertile soil.

Origin of infertile

From the Latin word infertilis, dating back to 1590–1600. See in-3, fertile

OTHER WORDS FROM infertile

in·fer·tile·ly, adverb in·fer·til·i·ty, in·fer·tile·ness, noun

Example sentences from the Web for infertility

British Dictionary definitions for infertility

infertile
/ (ɪnˈfɜːtaɪl) /

adjective

not capable of producing offspring; sterile
(of land) not productive; barren

Derived forms of infertile

infertilely, adverb infertility (ˌɪnfəˈtɪlɪtɪ), noun

Medical definitions for infertility (1 of 2)

infertility
[ ĭn′fər-tĭlĭ-tē ]

n.

Absent or diminished fertility.
The persistent inability to achieve conception and produce an offspring.

Medical definitions for infertility (2 of 2)

infertile
[ ĭn-fûrtl ]

adj.

Not capable of initiating, sustaining, or supporting reproduction.

Scientific definitions for infertility (1 of 2)

infertility
[ ĭn′fər-tĭlĭ-tē ]

The inability to achieve conception after persistent attempts over a given period of time, usually one year in humans.

Scientific definitions for infertility (2 of 2)

infertile
[ ĭn-fûrtl ]

Not capable of reproducing.
Not capable of developing into a complete organism, as infertile eggs.
Relating to soil or land that is not capable of supporting or is unfavorable to the growth of plants.