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
Cities are promising to cover the cost of in vitro fertilization.
—
Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Here are some of the state senators and representatives' top 2025 issues:
Reproductive health: Georgia lawmakers could consider codifying into law the right to in vitro fertilization, House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) told reporters this past week.
—Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025
Most fish species mate using external fertilization.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2025
Remember that lawns containing clover may not require supplemental fertilization thanks to the nitrogen-fixing properties of clover plants.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fertilization 
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Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Here are some of the state senators and representatives' top 2025 issues:
Reproductive health: Georgia lawmakers could consider codifying into law the right to in vitro fertilization, House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) told reporters this past week.
—Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025
Most fish species mate using external fertilization.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2025
Remember that lawns containing clover may not require supplemental fertilization thanks to the nitrogen-fixing properties of clover plants.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fertilization
Dictionary Entries Near fertilization
Cite this Entry
“Fertilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilization. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
: 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
fertilized or British fertilised; fertilizing or British fertilising
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