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
So, one way to fix this is, fertilizing in spring with a citrus fertilizer, according to label directions.
—
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
Perennial June-bearing strawberries are typically fertilized once a year in late summer to early autumn, while annual day-neutral strawberries are fertilized at six-week intervals from mid-summer to early fall.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2025
Do not prune or fertilize shrubs until the end of May to avoid further injury.
—Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Rather than address the underlying medical issues that prevent conception, IVF acts as a Band-Aid solution, artificially fertilizing eggs outside the womb in a laboratory.
—John Oertle, National Review, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fertilize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
Perennial June-bearing strawberries are typically fertilized once a year in late summer to early autumn, while annual day-neutral strawberries are fertilized at six-week intervals from mid-summer to early fall.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2025
Do not prune or fertilize shrubs until the end of May to avoid further injury.
—Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
Rather than address the underlying medical issues that prevent conception, IVF acts as a Band-Aid solution, artificially fertilizing eggs outside the womb in a laboratory.
—John Oertle, National Review, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fertilize
Cite this Entry
“Fertilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilize. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share