fertilize

[ fur-tl-ahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, fer·ti·lized, fer·ti·liz·ing.

1. Biology.
   1. to render (the female gamete) capable of development by uniting it with the male gamete.
   2. to fecundate or impregnate (an animal or plant).
2. to make fertile; enrich:

   to fertilize farmland.

3. to make productive.

fertilize

/ ˈfɜːtɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to provide (an animal, plant, or egg cell) with sperm or pollen to bring about fertilization
2. to supply (soil or water) with mineral and organic nutrients to aid the growth of plants
3. to make fertile or productive

Derived Forms

• ˈfertiˌlizable, adjective

Other Words From

• ferti·liza·ble adjective
• ferti·liza·bili·ty noun
• over·ferti·lize verb (used with object) overfertilized overfertilizing
• pre·ferti·lize verb (used with object) prefertilized prefertilizing
• re·ferti·liza·ble adjective
• re·ferti·lize verb (used with object) refertilized refertilizing
• un·ferti·liza·ble adjective
• un·ferti·lized adjective
• un·ferti·lizing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fertilize¹

First recorded in 1640–50; fertile + -ize

Example Sentences

These eggs were found to develop normally when fertilized in vitro and to become embryos or offspring when transplanted into the rat uterus.

From Science Daily

Farmers, who used herring to fertilize their fields and subsequently attracted gulls to their farms, joined in the complaints, Anderson adds.

From Salon

As the Salton Sea has become a fertilized petri dish, the prevailing winds have pushed aerosolized bacteria south to communities in the Imperial Valley where people have complained of respiratory issues.

From Los Angeles Times

“I put a lot of effort into fertilizing it because I wanted to try eating a banana I grew myself,” one disappointed owner told reporters.

From Los Angeles Times

When a female produces a fertilized egg, the egg is moved to an incubator.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compost
• enrich
• germinate
• impregnate
• inseminate
• mulch
• pollinate
• propagate