fertilizer

noun

fer·​til·​iz·​er ˈfər-tə-ˌlī-zər 

: one that fertilizes

specifically : a substance (such as manure or a chemical mixture) used to make soil more fertile

Examples of fertilizer in a Sentence

We only use organic fertilizer in our gardens.

They use chemical fertilizers on their lawn.

Recent Examples on the Web

Produce that is served fresh can become adulterated with E. coli through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of the growing area to livestock. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 19 May 2025

Subsidies for farmers using these synthetic fertilizers and pesticides stopped as well. —Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025

That perfect lawn typically requires supplemental irrigation, fertilizer, regular mowing and often pesticide applications. —Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 18 May 2025

Some potential causes include polluted fertilizers and fomites at the packing facilities, while there are many plausible explanations. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1661, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fertilizer

• complete fertilizer

Rhymes for fertilizer

• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• appetizer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer
• colonizer
• crystallizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• localizer
• merchandiser

Kids Definition

fertilizer

noun

fer·​til·​iz·​er ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌī-zər 

: a substance (as manure or a chemical) used to make soil produce larger or more plant life