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

Stick to the proper fertilization schedule: 3 times every growing period. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2025

Trump Signs Executive Order Expanding IVF Access By Patrick T. Brown Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member opinion 1 Most people who support expanding public funding for in vitro fertilization (IVF) do so for the best of reasons. —Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025

Maps show where to adjust irrigation and fertilization prescriptions. —Ryan Lanclos, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

Other social conservatives who spoke with USA TODAY also cited Trump's signing of an executive order requiring policy recommendations to protect in-vitro fertilization, or IVF, access and reduce out-of-pocket costs. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for fertilization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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