fertilize

American  

[fur-tl-ahyz] / ˈfɜr tlˌaɪz /

especially British, fertilise

verb (used with object)

fertilized, fertilizing

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.

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fertilize British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• fertilizability noun
• fertilizable adjective
• overfertilize verb (used with object)
• prefertilize verb (used with object)
• refertilizable adjective
• refertilize verb (used with object)
• unfertilizable adjective
• unfertilized adjective
• unfertilizing adjective

Etymology

Origin of fertilize

First recorded in 1640–50; fertile + -ize

Example Sentences

He said he already had paid $50,000 more than last year to fertilize his corn fields in the past 30 days.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

In addition to rising fuel costs, farmers in the Central Valley say they are stockpiling fertilizer and looking for otherways to fertilize their crops.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

He will spread more of what my dad used to fertilize his roses.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

"We evaluated several doses and treatment schedules and then determined sperm motility and number in the mice as well as their ability to fertilize females."

From Science Daily • May 23, 2024

They also wanted to be able to fertilize their “organic” fields with sewage sludge.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

Related Words

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