fertilization

noun

fer·​til·​i·​za·​tion ˌfər-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

: an act or process of making fertile: such as

a

: the application of fertilizer

b(1)

: an act or process of fecundation, insemination, or pollination

—not used technically

(2)

: the process of union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated

Examples of fertilization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1951, Henrietta Lacks’ cells were taken - without her or her family’s consent or knowledge - and used to further gene mapping, in vitro fertilization, the polio vaccine, and cancer research, among others. —Eva Epker, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

The unfathomable loss followed a two-year fertility journey that included in vitro fertilization, or IVF. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025

The couple uses and advocates for in vitro fertilization and claims the embryos of their four children were screened for illnesses, mental health issues and potential intelligence. —Lisa Hagen, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025

Last month, Ye was criticized for making comments about Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s 7-year-old kids Rumi and Sir Carter during an explosive X tirade, where West questioned the twins’ mental abilities and made unsubstantiated claims about in vitro fertilization. —Angel Diaz, Billboard, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1787, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fertilization

• cross-fertilization
• double fertilization
• fertilization membrane
• in vitro fertilization
• self-fertilization

Rhymes for fertilization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

fertilization

noun

fer·​til·​i·​za·​tion ˌfərt-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: an act or process of making fertile

especially : the application of fertilizer

2

: the union of male and female germ cells to form a zygote

Medical Definition

fertilization

noun

fer·​til·​iza·​tion

variants or British fertilisation

ˌfərt-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən 

: an act or process of making fertile: as

a

: an act or process of fecundation, insemination, or impregnation

b

: the process of union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated

fertilize transitive verb

or British fertilise

ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌīz 

fertilized or British fertilised; fertilizing or British fertilising