# infertility

/ˌɪnfɝˈtɪɫɪˌti/ (US) · /ɪnfɜːtˈɪlɪti/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/infertility
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

the condition of being unable to have a baby naturally after trying for a long time.

For teachers: the physiological inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after a period of regular unprotected intercourse.

## Examples

- The couple sought medical advice regarding their infertility.
- Advances in reproductive medicine have provided new options for couples struggling with infertility to start a family.
- While often discussed as a female health issue, infertility affects men and women in roughly equal proportions, frequently stemming from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

## Usage notes

- Often used in medical contexts; frequently paired with the preposition 'in' when referring to a specific group.

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