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

Dahlias should be fertilized every three to four weeks with a low-nitrogen fertilizer (such as a 5-10-10) from early spring (once roots and shoots are well-established) until late summer. — The Spruce, 13 Aug. 2026

Since that time, Wu has come to rely on his LLM for everything from fertilizing guidance to scheduling various tasks around the farm. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 12 Aug. 2026

Plants need to be watered, fertilized and sometimes replaced. — Taylor Wishart, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026

An embryologist checks whether the eggs are mature enough to be fertilized later. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fertilize

• cross-fertilize

Rhymes for fertilize

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

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