fertilizer

[ fur-tl-ahy-zer ]

/ ˈfɜr tlˌaɪ zər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fertilizer ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any substance used to fertilize the soil, especially a commercial or chemical manure.

a person, insect, etc., that fertilizes an animal or plant: Bees are fertilizers of flowers.

Nearby words

fertility drug, fertility factor, fertility symbol, fertilization, fertilize, fertilizer, fertilizin, ferula, ferule, ferulic acid, ferv.

Origin of fertilizer

First recorded in 1655–65; fertilize + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for fertilizer

So the candidate stood up on the fertilizer mound and gave his speech.
The Daily Show President: Obama's Edgy Humor|Dean Obeidallah|July 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When it was harvested en masse, it was frequently ground up as fertilizer.
My Big, Buttery Lobster Roll Rumble: We Came, We Clawed, We Conquered|Scott Bixby|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Initial testing of the fertilizer was positive; the Sanergy plot yielded 30% more sorghum than a non-fertilized plot.
Toilet Made for Densely Populated Settlements Turns Waste Into Dollars|Mike Miesen|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This year, it will begin to sell its fertilizer to farmers, and aims to have 1,000 toilets in use by the end of 2015.
Toilet Made for Densely Populated Settlements Turns Waste Into Dollars|Mike Miesen|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Police in Thailand recently investigated a case in which five human skulls were found in a fertilizer bag.
Burundi’s Black Market Skull Trade|Margot Kiser|January 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The latter two are in condition for application by means of a lime distributor, or even a fertilizer attachment of a grain drill.
Right Use of Lime in Soil Improvement|Alva Agee
Next put in your fertilizer, mixing it with the earth previously removed.
Garden Ornaments|Mary H. Northend
His soaked clothing began to steam, and the horrible stench of fertilizer to fill the room.
The Jungle|Upton Sinclair
Cost of seeds, fertilizer, and labour, gross and net proceeds.
Ontario Teachers' Manuals: Nature Study|Ontario Ministry of Education
Each spring the trees received a liberal application of a 10-6-5 fertilizer.
Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the Forty-Second Annual Meeting|Northern Nut Growers Association

British Dictionary definitions for fertilizer

fertilizer

fertiliser

/ (ˈfɜːtɪˌlaɪzə) /

noun

any substance, such as manure or a mixture of nitrates, added to soil or water to increase its productivity

an object or organism such as an insect that fertilizes an animal or plant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for fertilizer

fertilizer

[ fûr′tl-ī′zər ]

Any of a large number of natural and synthetic materials, including manure and compounds containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, spread on or worked into soil to increase its capacity to support plant growth. Synthetic fertilizers can greatly increase the productivity of soil but have high energy costs, since fossil fuels are required as a source of hydrogen, which is necessary to fix nitrogen in ammonia.

fertilizer

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of fertilizer

Examples from the Web for fertilizer

British Dictionary definitions for fertilizer

fertilizer

fertiliser

noun

Science definitions for fertilizer

fertilizer