fertilization

noun

fer·​til·​i·​za·​tion ˌfər-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

: an act or process of making fertile: such as

a

: the application of fertilizer

b(1)

: an act or process of fecundation, insemination, or pollination

—not used technically

(2)

: the process of union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated

Examples of fertilization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Your healthcare provider will use a thin needle with ultrasound guidance to locate and remove the eggs from the ovaries. Insemination and fertilization: The provider places the eggs and sperm together in a petri dish in the lab. —Khadeja Haye, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2025

The astronaut’s journey with trying to conceive a second child via in vitro fertilization has been challenging, to say the least. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2025

In addition to the law firm’s other work, Rader handles cases related to reproductive negligence (embryo destruction) and unregulated behavior in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) sector. —Andrew Rader, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2025

Murray, a wedding photographer who lives in Savannah, had decided to conceive and raise a child with the help of a sperm donor through Coastal Fertility Specialists, which operates in vitro fertilization clinics in South Carolina and Georgia. —Priya Sridhar, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1787, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fertilization

• cross-fertilization
• double fertilization
• fertilization membrane
• in vitro fertilization
• self-fertilization

Rhymes for fertilization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

fertilization

noun

fer·​til·​i·​za·​tion ˌfərt-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: an act or process of making fertile

especially : the application of fertilizer

2

: the union of male and female germ cells to form a zygote

Medical Definition

fertilization

noun

fer·​til·​iza·​tion

variants or British fertilisation

ˌfərt-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən 

: an act or process of making fertile: as

a

: an act or process of fecundation, insemination, or impregnation

b

: the process of union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated

fertilize transitive verb

or British fertilise

ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌīz 

fertilized or British fertilised; fertilizing or British fertilising