fertilize
verb
fer·til·ize
ˈfər-tə-ˌlīz 
fertilized; fertilizing
: to make fertile: such as
a
: to apply a fertilizer to
fertilize land
b
: to cause the fertilization of
Examples of fertilize in a Sentence
A single sperm fertilizes an egg.
Bees fertilize plants as they collect nectar from flowers.
He fertilizes the lawn every year.
The soil is so rich there is no need to fertilize.
Recent Examples on the Web
If a sperm cell carrying an X chromosome fertilizes the ovum, the fetus will be genetically female.
—
Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024
The luteal phase is all about preparing your body for a pregnancy in the event an egg is fertilized.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 22 July 2024
Ocean fertilization: Trap CO2 in dead algae The idea here is to fertilize the oceans with iron to stimulate algae and plankton blooms, which would pull CO2 out of the water and into their bodies.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2024
After choosing to fertilize eight eggs, the couple ended up with six embryos.
—Sushma Subramanian, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fertilize 
Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024
The luteal phase is all about preparing your body for a pregnancy in the event an egg is fertilized.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 22 July 2024
Ocean fertilization: Trap CO2 in dead algae The idea here is to fertilize the oceans with iron to stimulate algae and plankton blooms, which would pull CO2 out of the water and into their bodies.
—Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2024
After choosing to fertilize eight eggs, the couple ended up with six embryos.
—Sushma Subramanian, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fertilize
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fertilize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fertilize
Cite this Entry
“Fertilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilize. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fertilize
verb
fer·til·ize
ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌīz
fertilized; fertilizing
: to make fertile: as
a
: to cause the fertilization of
also
: to unite with in the process of fertilization
a sperm fertilizes an egg
b
: to apply a fertilizer to
fertilize land
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