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

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 Word Forms

• fertilizational adjective
• overfertilization noun
• prefertilization noun
• refertilization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fertilization¹

First recorded in 1855–60; fertilize + -ation

Example Sentences

Nelson was still married in 2020 when the fertility clinic called her at work with devastating news: Her husband had just requested the destruction of the embryos they created through in vitro fertilization, or IVF.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yet in January, she tried again, five years after her first attempt at in vitro fertilization.

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The research team is also refining vineyard management techniques, such as leaf removal, fertilization, and irrigation, to further enhance grape quality.

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While the business stated that its votes would uphold church teaching on abortion, it made no reference to other issues involving human life, such as euthanasia, in vitro fertilization, embryonic stem-cell use, or human cloning.

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The stand-up comic and actor had two comedy specials in recent years, including, “Son I Never Had” on Netflix, where she talked about her journey with in vitro fertilization, or IVF, and “Breadwinner” on Hulu.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breeding 
• implantation 
• pollination 
• procreation 
• propagation