fertilize

verb

fer·​til·​ize ˈfər-tə-ˌlīz 

fertilized; fertilizing

transitive verb

: to make fertile: such as

a

: to apply a fertilizer to

fertilize land

b

: to cause the fertilization of

fertilizable

ˈfər-tə-ˌlī-zə-bəl 

adjective

Examples of fertilize in a Sentence

A single sperm fertilizes an egg.

Bees fertilize plants as they collect nectar from flowers.

He fertilizes the lawn every year.

The soil is so rich there is no need to fertilize.

Recent Examples on the Web

This digestate can be used to fertilize crops but contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus that can bleed into the local water table if overapplied to crops. —Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Several of her eggs were retrieved and fertilized using a donor's sperm. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025

Be sure to stop fertilizing hydrangeas by late July. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2025

They should only be fertilized lightly during spring and summer with a monthly dose of organic liquid houseplant, or succulent fertilizer diluted to half strength. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fertilize

• cross-fertilize

Rhymes for fertilize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

fertilize

verb

fer·​til·​ize ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌīz 

fertilized; fertilizing

: to make fertile: as

a

: to cause the fertilization of

also : to unite with in the process of fertilization

a sperm fertilizes an egg

b

: to apply a fertilizer to

fertilize land