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

In volume farming, intelligent machines will autonomously fertilize, remove weeds, pick berries, fruits and vegetables, and pack the produce into shipping containers for transport. —Marcus Weldon, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025

Centipede and zoysia lawns are normally not fertilized until there is lots of green growth around the end of March or during April. —Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2025

If the spot is faint and oblong, the egg isn’t fertilized. —Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2025

Tall fescue is normally fertilized two or three times each year. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 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