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

In vitro fertilization is a medical procedure that can be used to address several infertility struggles. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 19 May 2026

How to Care for Container Roses Roses need adequate sunlight, well-draining soil, consistent moisture, and regular fertilization to encourage growth and healthy annual blooming. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 16 May 2026

Aiken and his longtime friend, music producer Jaymes Foster, planned to have a child through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and raise him together. —Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026

As advances in reproductive technology have enabled men to competitively procreate at new scales, there have been a spate of reports of über-wealthy parents having dozens of, even a hundred, children, through some combination of in-vitro fertilization, sperm donation, and surrogacy. —Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 14 May 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