fertilization

[ fur-tl-uh-zey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act, process, or instance of fertilizing.
2. the state of being fertilized.
3. Biology.
   1. the union of male and female gametic nuclei.
   2. fecundation or impregnation of animals or plants.
4. the enrichment of soil, as for the production of crops.

fertilization

/ ˌfɜːtɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. the union of male and female gametes, during sexual reproduction, to form a zygote
2. the act or process of fertilizing
3. the state of being fertilized

fertilization

/ fûr′tl-ĭ-zā′shən /

1. The process by which two gametes (reproductive cells having a single, haploid set of chromosomes) fuse to become a zygote, which develops into a new organism. The resultant zygote is diploid (it has two sets of chromosomes). In cross-fertilization, the two gametes come from two different individual organisms. In self-fertilization, the gametes come from the same individual. Fertilization includes the union of the cytoplasm of the gametes (called plasmogamy) followed by the union of the nuclei of the two gametes (called karyogamy). Among many animals, such as mammals, fertilization occurs inside the body of the female. Among fish, eggs are fertilized in the water. Among plants, fertilization of eggs occurs within the reproductive structures of the parent plant, such as the ovules of gymnosperms and angiosperms.
2. See Note at pollination
3. The process of making soil more productive of plant growth, as by the addition of organic material or fertilizer.

fertilization

1. The joining of sex cells to form a new living thing. In humans, a male sperm joins a female ovum , or egg ; the resulting zygote divides into a multicelled structure that implants in the womb and grows into an embryo . In plants, pollen grains, containing the male sex cells, enter the female sex cells in the pistil ; from this union, fruit eventually grows. When fertilization occurs within a single flower , we call it self-fertilization. ( See cross-fertilization .)

Other Words From

• ferti·li·zation·al adjective
• over·ferti·li·zation noun
• prefer·ti·li·zation noun
• refer·ti·li·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fertilization¹

First recorded in 1855–60; fertilize + -ation

Example Sentences

The sperm can’t make the journey on its own, and the real story of fertilization involves two reproductive systems working together.

From Vox

So researchers’ ability to retrieve and prepare this scarce resource for fertilization, and if necessary preserve the eggs through freezing, have all been crucial in assisting reproduction.

From Science News

Scientists have known for some time that human eggs undergoing in vitro fertilization could be genetically altered.

From Washington Post

Later this year, the startup also plans to begin offering embryo testing, which will involve extracting a few cells from embryos created by in vitro fertilization, sequencing their DNA, and generating similar risk reports.

From MIT Technology Review

While we know a lot about development after we are born, and even a little about what happens during pregnancy, we really don’t know anything about human development in the first two or three weeks after fertilization.

From Time

Or are they used in an evolutionary battle of the sexes over who has the last say in fertilization?

From The Daily Beast

Fertilization rates and implantation rates were similar—about 35 percent.

From The Daily Beast

But the cross-fertilization of advertising and art also worked the other way.

From The Daily Beast

"The females are enormously, amazingly successful at preventing fertilization by forced copulation," he said.

From The Daily Beast

And it would incite fierce resistance from those who believe life begins at fertilization.

From The Daily Beast

In the flower where the father and mother part matures at the same time, self-fertilization is the rule.

From Project Gutenberg

The fertilization and growth of plants are regarded as processes resembling the procreation of man.

From Project Gutenberg

They are easily worked and very quickly respond to fertilization and thorough cultivation.

From Project Gutenberg

This embryo is the product of fertilization of a germinal vesicle by a pollen tube.

From Project Gutenberg

In the second class, if we count conjugation as a simple form of fertilization, there are only two types of reproductive methods.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• breeding
• implantation
• pollination
• procreation
• propagation