fertilization

/fərɾəlɪˈzeɪʃɪn/

/fətəlɪˈzeɪʃən/

Other forms: fertilizations

Fertilization means you're applying something to the soil to make it better. Chemicals or even manure can be used for fertilization. That may not smell very nice, but your plants will grow better as a result.

The noun fertilization also can refer to the process that allows humans and animals to reproduce. Fertilization occurs when an egg and sperm come together. Fertilization might happen if your dog keeps hanging out with that golden retriever down the street — then you can look forward to raising some puppies. Similarly, fertilization of a plant can occur when a bee transfers pollen from one flower to another.

Definitions of fertilization

1. noun

   making fertile as by applying fertilizer or manure
   synonyms: dressing, fecundation, fertilisation

   types:

   top dressing

   a layer of fertilizer or manure not plowed in

   type of:

   enrichment

   act of making fuller or more meaningful or rewarding
2. noun

   creation by the physical union of male and female gametes; of sperm and ova in an animal or pollen and ovule in a plant
   synonyms: fecundation, fertilisation, impregnation

   types:

   pollenation, pollination

   transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of a plant

   cross-fertilisation, cross-fertilization

   fertilization by the union of male and female gametes from different individual of the same species

   self-fertilisation, self-fertilization

   fertilization by the union of male and female gametes from the same individual

   superfecundation

   fertilization of two or more ova released during the same menstrual cycle by sperm from separate acts of coitus (especially by different males)

   superfetation

   fertilization of a second ovum after a pregnancy has begun; results in two fetuses of different ages in the uterus at the same time

   allogamy

   cross-fertilization in plants

   autogamy

   self-fertilization in plants

   cross-pollination

   fertilization by transfer of pollen from the anthers of one flower to the stigma of another

   self-pollination

   fertilization by transfer of pollen from the anthers to the stigma of the same flower

   type of:

   conception, creation

   the event that occurred at the beginning of something