fertilize

verb

fer·​til·​ize ˈfər-tə-ˌlīz How to pronounce fertilize (audio)
fertilized; fertilizing
Synonyms of fertilizenext

transitive verb

: to make fertile: such as
a
: to apply a fertilizer to
fertilize land
b
: to cause the fertilization of
fertilizable
ˈfər-tə-ˌlī-zə-bəl How to pronounce fertilize (audio)
adjective

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
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.
Next door at CedarCreek Estate Winery, the Block 5 chardonnay and Block 4 pinot noir have their own cult following, assisted by highland cows that fertilize and stomp the vineyard soil, and a flock of free range chickens that eat the small pests. — Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2026 Ultimately, three eggs survived the thaw and were fertilized with donor sperm. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 29 July 2026 These products fertilize the soil while preventing potential weeds from breaking the surface. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 29 July 2026 Instead, material that used to fertilize farms accumulated in urban streets, rivers and sewers, while rural soils grew steadily poorer with each harvest. — Edward D. Melillo, Fortune, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fertilize

Word History

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fertilize was in 1621

Phrases Containing fertilize

Rhymes for fertilize

See All Rhymes for fertilize

Browse Nearby Words

fertilization tube
fertilize
fertilized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fertilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilize. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fertilize

verb
fer·​til·​ize ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌīz How to pronounce fertilize (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on fertilize

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fertilize

Nglish: Translation of fertilize for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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