fertilizer

noun

fer·​til·​iz·​er ˈfər-tə-ˌlī-zər 

: one that fertilizes

specifically : a substance (such as manure or a chemical mixture) used to make soil more fertile

Examples of fertilizer in a Sentence

We only use organic fertilizer in our gardens.

They use chemical fertilizers on their lawn.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wood chips and fertilizer stopped coming through the port in 2005 and 2008, respectively, according to the West Sacramento News Ledger. —Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2025

Pollutants that run over roads, including garbage and fertilizers, can also enter the water. —Elijah Polance, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2025

Organic farming prohibits synthetic fertilizers, which Hirshberg calls the biggest contributor to climate change in agriculture because of their nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 1 Aug. 2025

Ensuring that your plants receive the proper amount of light, water, and fertilizer is key to preventing mildew problems. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1661, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fertilizer

• complete fertilizer

Rhymes for fertilizer

• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• appetizer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer
• colonizer
• crystallizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• localizer
• merchandiser

Kids Definition

fertilizer

noun

fer·​til·​iz·​er ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌī-zər 

: a substance (as manure or a chemical) used to make soil produce larger or more plant life