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

So, experts presumed Charlotte’s pregnancy was a result of parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction in which an egg develops into an embryo without male fertilization. —Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2024

But the case also opened the door to legal predicaments throughout the healthcare universe — most recently via a ruling in February by the Alabama Supreme Court, effectively outlawing in-vitro fertilization in that state. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024

Last year, Brock, who lives in West Des Moines, Iowa, with her husband, James, underwent a third round of in vitro fertilization, or IVF. —Natalie Krebs, NPR, 4 June 2024

During their third round of in vitro fertilization (IVF), Lloyd got pregnant. —Jacklyn Krol, Peoplemag, 3 June 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