fertilize

especially British, fer·ti·lise

[fur-tl-ahyz]

verb (used with object)

fertilized, fertilizing 

1. Biology.

   1. to render (the female gamete) capable of development by uniting it with the male gamete.

   2. to fecundate or impregnate (an animal or plant).

2. to make fertile; enrich.

   to fertilize farmland.

3. to make productive.

fertilize

/ ˈfɜːtɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to provide (an animal, plant, or egg cell) with sperm or pollen to bring about fertilization

2. to supply (soil or water) with mineral and organic nutrients to aid the growth of plants

3. to make fertile or productive

Other Word Forms

• fertilizable adjective
• fertilizability noun
• overfertilize verb (used with object)
• prefertilize verb (used with object)
• refertilizable adjective
• refertilize verb (used with object)
• unfertilizable adjective
• unfertilized adjective
• unfertilizing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fertilize¹

First recorded in 1640–50; fertile + -ize

Example Sentences

"We have these fertilized eggs from many, many different genetic backgrounds and we raise them over a series of days until we have coral babies, coral teenagers," she explains.

From BBC

Instead of treating her, the hospital sent her home, and the fertilized egg later ruptured, requiring emergency surgery to remove part of her reproductive system.

From Salon

He does a lot more for his clients — trimming plants, fertilizing and weeding too.

From Los Angeles Times

By late April, when the roses start blooming, they’ve already been pruned and fertilized, but Bifano is always on the prowl for any signs of disease or pests.

From Los Angeles Times

Eggs fertilized by those males also don’t hatch.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compost 
• enrich 
• germinate 
• impregnate 
• inseminate 
• mulch 
• pollinate 
• propagate