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

If fertility is the issue, treatments like ovulation-inducing medications or in vitro fertilization (IVF) can help. —Julia Sullivan, SELF, 18 Apr. 2024

People can choose the gender of their baby with in vitro fertilization (IVF). —Wendy Wisner, Health, 16 Apr. 2024

Trump began his video by affirming his support for in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a process that involves fertilizing eggs outside the womb to induce a pregnancy. —Nik Popli, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024

On February 16, 2024, the Alabama Supreme Court issued a ruling declaring that embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) should be considered children. —Larada Lee, Essence, 2 Apr. 2024

One opponent, an evangelical nonprofit called Liberty Counsel, pointed to an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that determined frozen embryos used for in vitro fertilization were people under Alabama’s Constitution. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024

Congress: House Republicans support in vitro fertilization but are divided on how to protect access to it. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2024

In vitro fertilization: Senate Bills 301 and373;House Bill 757 After in vitro fertilization (IVF) gained national attention due to a recent Alabama Supreme Court decision, three Kentucky lawmakers introduced bills to protect IVF access. —Rebecca Grapevine, The Courier-Journal, 26 Mar. 2024

Protections for in vitro fertilization aren’t expected to be among the list of accomplished laws this legislative session in Idaho, Democrats said Friday. —Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 23 Mar. 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