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

Farooqi lists a slew of policy priorities on her website, including protecting access to contraception via in vitro fertilization, conserving the environment and investing in aging infrastructure. —Staff, Detroit Free Press, 21 Sep. 2024

Five Houston couples seeking in vitro fertilization at Aspire Houston Fertility Institute say clinicians there knowingly implanted damaged and dead embryos. —Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 19 Sep. 2024

Legislation would create nationwide right for fertility treatments Duckworth's bill would establish a statutory right for individuals to access in vitro fertilization treatments and empowers the Justice Department to enforce the law. —Deirdre Walsh, NPR, 17 Sep. 2024

In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a process that involves embryo creation and implantation. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 16 Sep. 2024

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

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