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

At the time, the Hamiltons, who were in the midst of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle, weren’t certain of their future as parents. —Brande Victorian, Essence, 12 Dec. 2025

In practice, eggs and sperm retrieved at a small satellite office can be sealed in tubes and placed in a G95 portable incubator, which is kept at 37°C, and then transported by car to a central laboratory for fertilization and embryo culture. —Matt Emma, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025

The actress shared that the couple struggled to conceive naturally and decided to do in vitro fertilization to increase their chances. —Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

Take one 39-year-old single woman, add in eight unsuccessful intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatments, deduct $12,000 in savings, insert two recommendations for in vitro fertilization (IVF), factor in an about 16% chance for success, and where does that land you? —Angela Hatem, Parents, 9 Dec. 2025

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