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
Do keep the soil moist and remember to fertilize the tree in February, June and October
Q.
—
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2025
These days, with Gerardi openly sharing her fertility journey and experiences with in vitro fertilization — a treatment that extracts eggs and fertilizes them with sperm outside of the body — her socials have become a communal space for others going through similar struggles.
—Dhanika Pineda, NPR, 4 June 2025
By late April, when the roses start blooming, they’ve already been pruned and fertilized, but Bifano is always on the prowl for any signs of disease or pests.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Wait to fertilize again until the developing fruits are about the size of a golf ball, at which time a nitrogen-rich fertilizer can be used to side dress plants.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fertilize
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Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2025
These days, with Gerardi openly sharing her fertility journey and experiences with in vitro fertilization — a treatment that extracts eggs and fertilizes them with sperm outside of the body — her socials have become a communal space for others going through similar struggles.
—Dhanika Pineda, NPR, 4 June 2025
By late April, when the roses start blooming, they’ve already been pruned and fertilized, but Bifano is always on the prowl for any signs of disease or pests.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Wait to fertilize again until the developing fruits are about the size of a golf ball, at which time a nitrogen-rich fertilizer can be used to side dress plants.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fertilize
Cite this Entry
“Fertilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilize. Accessed 6 Jul. 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
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