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
Ensure they are planted in full sun and not over-fertilized, as too many nutrients can encourage leaf growth over flowers.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University created early-stage human embryos from DNA taken from skin cells and fertilized them with sperm.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Conditioning is a simple process in which straw bales are watered and fertilized for about 12 days before planting.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
The researchers produced 82 functional oocytes (eggs) using the method, fertilized them with sperm, and found that around nine percent developed into blastocysts—the earliest stage of embryo development—by day six.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fertilize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University created early-stage human embryos from DNA taken from skin cells and fertilized them with sperm.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Conditioning is a simple process in which straw bales are watered and fertilized for about 12 days before planting.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
The researchers produced 82 functional oocytes (eggs) using the method, fertilized them with sperm, and found that around nine percent developed into blastocysts—the earliest stage of embryo development—by day six.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fertilize
Cite this Entry
“Fertilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilize. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share