fertilizer

noun

fer·​til·​iz·​er ˈfər-tə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce fertilizer (audio)
: 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 Don’t worry, you’ll be rewarded with nutrient-rich fertilizer and a healthier garden for your efforts. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023 Unnecessary fertilizers and other treatments can have negative effects on both your garden and the environment. Lauren David, Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2023 The overuse of chemical fertilizers just compounds this problem. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023 Farmers Cooperative supplies feed, fertilizer, seed and chemicals to area producers. Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2023 Climate experts say that crop fertilizers give off the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, while cattle burp methane and deforestation releases the carbon stored in trees. Paulo Trevisani, WSJ, 26 Oct. 2023 The first stage of cleanup started in late August, with around 200 Environmental Protection Agency workers in white protective gear removing toxic household debris from Upper Kula and the town of Lahaina including gas cylinders, pesticides, fertilizers, and battery packs used in solar power. Michael Casey, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Oct. 2023 This shirt is woven from long-staple organic cotton grown without synthetic fertilizers. Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2023 The whales would dine on krill at the bottom of the ocean, then rise up to breathe and relieve themselves, releasing great clouds of fertilizer to feed the phytoplankton at the top, which in turn fed the krill. Amy Brady, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fertilizer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fertilizer was circa 1661

Dictionary Entries Near fertilizer

Cite this Entry

“Fertilizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilizer. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

fertilizer

noun
fer·​til·​iz·​er ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌī-zər How to pronounce fertilizer (audio)
: a substance (as manure or a chemical) used to make soil produce larger or more plant life
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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