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

There are still so many steps that egg would have to make it through later in the IVF process (thawing, fertilization, embryo development and more) and eggs can be lost at each step. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

The 36-year-old said she and her husband, who live near Seattle, Washington, underwent genetic testing and in vitro fertilization, or IVF, before welcoming their first child, a daughter, last October. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026

Beyond those limits, heat, drought, insects, pathogens and wildfire can overwhelm any fertilization effect that would boost growth. — Regan E. Dunn, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Feed Plants for Strong Stems and Blooms Lastly, regular fertilization can help dahlias produce the strong stems needed to support their flowers. — The Spruce, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1787, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fertilization

• cross-fertilization
• double fertilization
• fertilization membrane
• in vitro fertilization
• self-fertilization

Rhymes for fertilization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids 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

ˌfərt-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən 

: 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

ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌīz 

fertilized or British fertilised; fertilizing or British fertilising