fertilize

verb

fer·​til·​ize ˈfər-tə-ˌlīz 

fertilized; fertilizing

transitive verb

: to make fertile: such as

a

: to apply a fertilizer to

fertilize land

b

: to cause the fertilization of

fertilizable

ˈfər-tə-ˌlī-zə-bəl 

adjective

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

After a female deposits her eggs into this tunnel, the male will fertilize them. —Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 21 June 2026

Do not fertilize plants during periods of extreme heat because the stimulated growth adds more stress to the plant. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 June 2026

Roses can bloom all season long with proper care like sunlight, water, and fertilizing. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 16 June 2026

Skip the Fertilizer Avoid fertilizing fruit trees during hot weather because this can increase the risk of fertilizer burn. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fertilize

• cross-fertilize

Rhymes for fertilize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids 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