fertilize
verb
fer·til·ize
ˈfər-tə-ˌlīz 
fertilized; fertilizing
: to make fertile: such as
a
: to apply a fertilizer to
fertilize land
b
: to cause the fertilization of
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
The ash does contain nutrients, and turfgrass cannot be fertilized during winter since applied nutrients more readily run off and pollute waterways.
—
Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025
Fertilizer When grown in its native regions, mountain mint typically doesn’t need to be fertilized.
—Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2025
By making the uterine environment inhospitable to sperm, the copper IUD effectively prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg.1
How Long Your IUD Lasts
How long an IUD lasts depends on the type (hormonal vs. non-hormonal) and the brand.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Find your cactus a spot in a bright location or filtered sun, moisten when the surface soil begins to dry and fertilize monthly, March through September, to have a plant in bloom next year.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fertilize 
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.
Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025
Fertilizer When grown in its native regions, mountain mint typically doesn’t need to be fertilized.
—Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2025
By making the uterine environment inhospitable to sperm, the copper IUD effectively prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg.1
How Long Your IUD Lasts
How long an IUD lasts depends on the type (hormonal vs. non-hormonal) and the brand.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Find your cactus a spot in a bright location or filtered sun, moisten when the surface soil begins to dry and fertilize monthly, March through September, to have a plant in bloom next year.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fertilize
Dictionary Entries Near fertilize
Cite this Entry
“Fertilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilize. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share