fertilization

noun

fer·​til·​i·​za·​tion ˌfər-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

: an act or process of making fertile: such as

a

: the application of fertilizer

b(1)

: an act or process of fecundation, insemination, or pollination

—not used technically

(2)

: the process of union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated

Examples of fertilization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Single 40-Year-Old Woman Told She Was Too Old To Have A Baby Becomes ‘Solo Mom’ By Daniella Gray Family and Parenting Reporter 1 Just before her 41st birthday, a woman in the U.K. decided to start in vitro fertilization (IVF) and become a solo mother by choice. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024

On July 25, 1978, Louise Joy Brown became the first baby in the world to be born through in vitro fertilization. —Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024

Musk and Wilson had five more children using in vitro fertilization (IVF): Vivian Jenna (who changed her name and gender in 2022), Griffin, Kai, Saxon and Damian. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 31 Oct. 2024

In February, Alabama Supreme Court justices inserted theological beliefs about the origin of life in a decision that imperiled the ability of Alabamians to have children through in-vitro fertilization. —Rachel Laser, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1787, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fertilization

• cross-fertilization
• double fertilization
• fertilization membrane
• in vitro fertilization
• self-fertilization

Kids Definition

fertilization

noun

fer·​til·​i·​za·​tion ˌfərt-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: an act or process of making fertile

especially : the application of fertilizer

2

: the union of male and female germ cells to form a zygote

Medical Definition

fertilization

noun

fer·​til·​iza·​tion

variants or British fertilisation

ˌfərt-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən 

: an act or process of making fertile: as

a

: an act or process of fecundation, insemination, or impregnation

b

: the process of union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated

fertilize transitive verb

or British fertilise

ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌīz 

fertilized or British fertilised; fertilizing or British fertilising