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

In Vitro Fertilization In his State of the Union address this year, Mr. Biden called on Congress to protect access to in vitro fertilization. —Maggie Astor, New York Times, 25 June 2024

The decision has even bled into questions on the FDA's independence and access to in vitro fertilization. —Kinsey Crowley, The Courier-Journal, 24 June 2024

Since the fall of Roe, there have been questions about overall reproductive issues, including rights to contraception and in vitro fertilization. —Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 24 June 2024

Some advocates predict that the legislation is doomed in a divided Congress, highlighting the defeats of recent bills to protect access to contraception and in vitro fertilization. —Caroline Kitchener, Washington Post, 20 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