fertilize
verb
fer·til·ize
ˈfər-tə-ˌlīz 
fertilized; fertilizing
: to make fertile: such as
a
: to apply a fertilizer to
fertilize land
b
: to cause the fertilization of
Examples of fertilize in a Sentence
A single sperm fertilizes an egg.
Bees fertilize plants as they collect nectar from flowers.
He fertilizes the lawn every year.
The soil is so rich there is no need to fertilize.
Recent Examples on the Web
To encourage blooms, fertilize when watering with a high-phosphorus fertilizer, like a 5-10-5 (the middle number is the phosphorus in the standard N-P-K fertilizer system).
—
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2024
Their dung fertilized the ground, and their grazing promoted carbon sequestration in the soil.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 4 July 2024
Parthenogenesis occurs when an embryo develops without being fertilized.
—Elysee Barakett, NBC News, 2 July 2024
According to Yale Medicine, the clinical practice for the Yale School of Medicine, in vitro fertilization is a procedure where sperm fertilizes an egg in a laboratory dish.
—Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for fertilize 
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 July 2024
Their dung fertilized the ground, and their grazing promoted carbon sequestration in the soil.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 4 July 2024
Parthenogenesis occurs when an embryo develops without being fertilized.
—Elysee Barakett, NBC News, 2 July 2024
According to Yale Medicine, the clinical practice for the Yale School of Medicine, in vitro fertilization is a procedure where sperm fertilizes an egg in a laboratory dish.
—Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for fertilize
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fertilize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fertilize
Cite this Entry
“Fertilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilize. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fertilize
verb
fer·til·ize
ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌīz
fertilized; fertilizing
: to make fertile: as
a
: to cause the fertilization of
also
: to unite with in the process of fertilization
a sperm fertilizes an egg
b
: to apply a fertilizer to
fertilize land
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