fertilization
noun
fer·til·i·za·tion
ˌfər-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən 
: an act or process of making fertile: such as
a
: the application of fertilizer
b(1)
: an act or process of fecundation, insemination, or pollination
—not used technically
(2)
: the process of union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated
Examples of fertilization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Catholic belief determines a new human life begins at the point of conception or fertilization, meaning the loss of these embryos equates to a loss of human life, making IVF itself an ethical issue.
—
Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Additional Tips for a Healthy Lawn Follow a consistent summer lawn care routine, including regular mowing, early morning watering, and appropriate fertilization.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
During last year’s convention, Baptists voted on a resolution signaling their opposition to in vitro fertilization.
—Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 11 June 2025
The package included measures to keep utility rate increases within the rate of inflation, to provide tax exemptions for low and middle-income people who seek in vitro fertilization and to increase tax credits for low-income renters from $60 to $1,000.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fertilization
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Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Additional Tips for a Healthy Lawn Follow a consistent summer lawn care routine, including regular mowing, early morning watering, and appropriate fertilization.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 June 2025
During last year’s convention, Baptists voted on a resolution signaling their opposition to in vitro fertilization.
—Elaine Mallon, The Washington Examiner, 11 June 2025
The package included measures to keep utility rate increases within the rate of inflation, to provide tax exemptions for low and middle-income people who seek in vitro fertilization and to increase tax credits for low-income renters from $60 to $1,000.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fertilization
Cite this Entry
“Fertilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilization. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fertilization
noun
fer·til·i·za·tion
ˌfərt-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən
1
: an act or process of making fertile
especially
: the application of fertilizer
2
: the union of male and female germ cells to form a zygote
Medical Definition
fertilization
noun
fer·til·iza·tion
variants
or British fertilisation
: an act or process of making fertile: as
a
: an act or process of fecundation, insemination, or impregnation
b
: the process of union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated
fertilize
transitive verb
or British fertilise
fertilized or British fertilised; fertilizing or British fertilising
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