fertilization

noun

fer·​til·​i·​za·​tion ˌfər-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce fertilization (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Employees’ health insurance must cover fertility treatments Senate Bill 729 requires employers with 100 or more employees to offer health insurance to cover infertility diagnosis and fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization. Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025 Overall, the law will expand access to infertility services, including in vitro fertilization. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025 By Sarah Kwon | KFF Health News California lawmakers are poised to delay the state’s much-ballyhooed new law mandating in vitro fertilization insurance coverage for millions, set to take effect July 1. Kff Health News, Mercury News, 26 June 2025 Uses for fish emulsion include as a soil drench every 3 weeks, helping to reduce transplant shock, lawn fertilization, and speeding up the composting process. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fertilization

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1787, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fertilization was circa 1787

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Cite this Entry

“Fertilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilization. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

fertilization

noun
fer·​til·​i·​za·​tion ˌfərt-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce fertilization (audio)
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
: 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
fertilized or British fertilised; fertilizing or British fertilising

More from Merriam-Webster on fertilization

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