fertilization

American  

[fur-tl-uh-zey-shuhn] / ˌfɜr tl əˈzeɪ ʃən /

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.

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fertilization British  

/ 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

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fertilization Scientific  

/ 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.

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fertilization Cultural  

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.)

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of fertilization

First recorded in 1855–60; fertilize + -ation

Explanation

Fertilization means you're applying something to the soil to make it better. Chemicals or even manure can be used for fertilization. That may not smell very nice, but your plants will grow better as a result. The noun fertilization also can refer to the process that allows humans and animals to reproduce. Fertilization occurs when an egg and sperm come together. Fertilization might happen if your dog keeps hanging out with that golden retriever down the street — then you can look forward to raising some puppies. Similarly, fertilization of a plant can occur when a bee transfers pollen from one flower to another.

Example Sentences

Their children were conceived through in vitro fertilization.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Right now, they are pursuing in vitro fertilization, which requires many doctor’s appointments.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

When he asked Zilis about it, she said it was via in vitro fertilization, or IVF, and that their relationship was platonic, according to his testimony.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

For example, in vitro fertilization can cost between $25,000 to $30,000 for one cycle without medication.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

In the spring of 1959, when discussions of my fertilization got under way, my mother couldn’t foresee that women would soon be burning their brassieres by the thousand.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• breeding
• implantation
• pollination
• procreation
• propagation