fertilizer

noun

fer·​til·​iz·​er ˈfər-tə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce fertilizer (audio)
: one that fertilizes
specifically : a substance (such as manure or a chemical mixture) used to make soil more fertile

Examples of fertilizer in a Sentence

We only use organic fertilizer in our gardens. They use chemical fertilizers on their lawn.
Recent Examples on the Web Both companies are also investing in new fertilizer businesses — BHP is building a massive potash mine in Canada, while Anglo is developing a polyhalite mine on the east coast of England. Thomas Biesheuvel, Fortune Asia, 25 Apr. 2024 And a gravel garden full of water-wise plants that don’t require pesticides, fertilizers or mowing can help promote biodiversity by creating a happy habitat for local birds, pollinators and other beneficial insects. Caitlin Huson, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024 First up was finding a natural fertilizer for her garden. Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024 Feed it with a high-nitrogen lawn-type fertilizer every six to eight weeks during the growing season. Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024 According to a recent Iowa DNR press release, agricultural company NEW Cooperative Inc. alerted the Iowa DNR of the inadvertent release of fertilizer on March 11. Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 3 Apr. 2024 In contrast to most of modern agriculture, genetic engineering is rare, and there are few ways to help the trees once they have been planted with fertilizer and pesticides. Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024 Each product by Extract Labs is tested by a third-party lab and contains no pesticides, herbicides, solvents, or chemical fertilizers. All Cbd Naturals, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 Nitrate is a molecule that forms when ammonia or other nitrogen-rich sources, including nitrogen fertilizer, combine with oxygen. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fertilizer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fertilizer was circa 1661

Dictionary Entries Near fertilizer

Cite this Entry

“Fertilizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilizer. Accessed 1 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

fertilizer

noun
fer·​til·​iz·​er ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌī-zər How to pronounce fertilizer (audio)
: a substance (as manure or a chemical) used to make soil produce larger or more plant life
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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