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
As a result, the rates of egg fertilization also dropped after the first 10 matings.
—
Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
In some later cases, there was no confirmed fertilization.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2025
During these interviews, the president-elect discussed a wide range of topics that currently affect the United States and voters, such as medical marijuana, artificial intelligence, and in vitro fertilization.
—Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Jan. 2025
Fertility treatment Certain insurers must cover fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization, in 2025.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fertilization 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
In some later cases, there was no confirmed fertilization.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2025
During these interviews, the president-elect discussed a wide range of topics that currently affect the United States and voters, such as medical marijuana, artificial intelligence, and in vitro fertilization.
—Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Jan. 2025
Fertility treatment Certain insurers must cover fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization, in 2025.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fertilization
Dictionary Entries Near fertilization
Cite this Entry
“Fertilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilization. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
: 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
fertilized or British fertilised; fertilizing or British fertilising
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share