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
Its heliacal rising would herald the annual flooding of the Nile Valley, the waters re-fertilizing the fields with silt.
—
Joe Rao, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Avoid using products that contain urea, which can cause root burn, and don’t fertilize in winter when these plants aren’t actively growing.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
As active growth begins, fertilize your Christmas cactus every month.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
The hope is that females, which only mate once in their short lives, will mate with sterile males, resulting in eggs that are never fertilized.
—Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fertilize
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Joe Rao, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Avoid using products that contain urea, which can cause root burn, and don’t fertilize in winter when these plants aren’t actively growing.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
As active growth begins, fertilize your Christmas cactus every month.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
The hope is that females, which only mate once in their short lives, will mate with sterile males, resulting in eggs that are never fertilized.
—Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fertilize
Cite this Entry
“Fertilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilize. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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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