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

Help your bulbs store up nutrients for next year by fertilizing again after the flowers have finished blooming. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025

Autumn is the best time to fertilize Colorado bluegrass lawns. —Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 5 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

Word History

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fertilize

• cross-fertilize

Rhymes for fertilize

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

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