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
Stop fertilizing and deadheading plants by early fall so that the plants don't produce tender new growth late in the season.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
After being diagnosed with unexplained infertility, the couple proceeded with IVF, which involved fertilizing the egg outside of the body.
—Brande Victorian, Essence, 12 Dec. 2025
Stop fertilizing in the fall and winter months.
—Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Dec. 2025
There’s also the waiting period—waiting to see if and how many eggs would fertilize and how many would make it to the blastocyst stage, which happens about five to six days after the sperm fertilizes the egg.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fertilize
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Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025
After being diagnosed with unexplained infertility, the couple proceeded with IVF, which involved fertilizing the egg outside of the body.
—Brande Victorian, Essence, 12 Dec. 2025
Stop fertilizing in the fall and winter months.
—Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Dec. 2025
There’s also the waiting period—waiting to see if and how many eggs would fertilize and how many would make it to the blastocyst stage, which happens about five to six days after the sperm fertilizes the egg.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 9 Dec. 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 20 Dec. 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
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