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
Palms are best fertilized with products made for their needs in March, May and October.
58.
—
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2025
Battista Choate said the field will need to be reseeded and fertilized before the grass grows back.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 July 2025
In those cases, using the new technique, the U.K. doctors first fertilize the mother’s egg with the father’s sperm.
—Nancy Lapid, USA Today, 17 July 2025
Instead, emergency contraceptive pills prevent an egg from being released from the ovaries, while IUDs, depending on the type, prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg or prevent an egg from implanting in the uterus.
—Carol S. Weisman, The Conversation, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fertilize
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Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2025
Battista Choate said the field will need to be reseeded and fertilized before the grass grows back.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 July 2025
In those cases, using the new technique, the U.K. doctors first fertilize the mother’s egg with the father’s sperm.
—Nancy Lapid, USA Today, 17 July 2025
Instead, emergency contraceptive pills prevent an egg from being released from the ovaries, while IUDs, depending on the type, prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg or prevent an egg from implanting in the uterus.
—Carol S. Weisman, The Conversation, 23 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 1 Aug. 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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