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

Into this empty egg a spindle from another animal is then inserted, the reconstructed egg finishes its process of chromosome halving, and is then fertilized. — Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Nov. 2026

Agricultural drones whiz above a field in Heilongjiang, ready for spraying or fertilizing crops, lifting tools, and other uses. — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Nov. 2026

While no one is certain whether the eggs are developing normally — or even if they are fertilized — their hatching would be a first for the nation’s West Coast. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Caring for the earlier hybrid tea roses required a great deal of work, including fertilizing, pruning, getting rid of pests and diseases, and preparing them for winter. — Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 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