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

Fertility treatment Certain insurers must cover fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization, in 2025. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 27 Dec. 2024

Since 1978, millions of babies have been born using in-vitro fertilization (IVF). —Alex Knapp, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Aetna, a subsidiary of CVS Health Corp., reached a deal with the couples in October to begin covering artificial insemination for all of its customers nationally and work toward providing equal access for costly in-vitro fertilization procedures. —Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 7 Dec. 2024

Some want to see basic protections for contraception and in-vitro fertilization treatments codified into law, or more authority given to physicians to care for women with unviable pregnancies. —David Farré, The Tennessean, 26 Dec. 2024

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

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