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

By the late 19th century, colonists were harvesting tons of guano from these caves, to be exported as fertilizer. —Henry Wismayer, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026

It's recommended to select a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content, indicated by the middle number in the fertilizer ratio, to promote flower growth. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026

Outdoor poinsettias don’t need much fertilizer as long as they’re provided with an annual application of compost in spring. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 7 Jan. 2026

Products like tractors, sprayers, irrigation equipment, mechanical pickers and fertilizer will also be exempt from the tax with the new cards. —Cristina Larue, Arkansas Online, 6 Jan. 2026

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