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

Mature eggs could be fertilized immediately after acquisition, while immature eggs needed to be matured before fertilization.

From Science Daily

Shortly after fertilization, the larvae become mobile and are capable of coordinated swimming as they disperse in the water column.

From Los Angeles Times

"We want fertilization, and it's all the way," Trump said, which is disturbing to read but even more unsettling in his nasal tone which makes it sound like a threat.

From Salon

“We want fertilization, and it’s all the way, and the Democrats tried to attack us on it, and we’re out there on IVF, even more than them. So, we’re totally in favor.”

From Salon

Three years ago, Steel co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act, which would declare that human life begins at the moment of fertilization.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breeding
• implantation
• pollination
• procreation
• propagation