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
Kourtney Kardashian Barker is looking back on her experience with in vitro fertilization.
—
Georgia Slater, Peoplemag, 27 May 2024
Earlier this year, Trump criticized an Alabama Supreme Court decision that threatened the use of in vitro fertilization, citing the political risks of that policy.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for fertilization 
Georgia Slater, Peoplemag, 27 May 2024
Earlier this year, Trump criticized an Alabama Supreme Court decision that threatened the use of in vitro fertilization, citing the political risks of that policy.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for fertilization
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fertilization.' 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 fertilization
Cite this Entry
“Fertilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilization. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
: 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
fertilized or British fertilised; fertilizing or British fertilising
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