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

Houseplants growing under bright light or grow lights benefit from winter fertilization. —Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026

There were more than 95,000 in vitro fertilization births in the United States in 2023, according to the most recent data provided by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, or ASRM. —Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026

The campaign mischaracterizes facts about same-sex parenting through California cases designed to maximize outrage, while specifically targeting in vitro fertilization and surrogacy as purported gateways to promoting LGBTQ+ families. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026

More than half a century ago, two breakthroughs reshaped ideas about what was biologically and physically possible, the study notes, in reference to the first human landing on the moon and the first successful fertilization of a human egg outside the body through in vitro fertilisation, or IVF. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 4 Feb. 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