cross-fertilization
[ kraws-fur-tl-uh-zey-shuh n, kros- ]
/ ˈkrɔsˌfɜr tl əˈzeɪ ʃən, ˈkrɒs- /
noun
Biology.
the fertilization of an organism by the fusion of an egg from one individual with a sperm or male gamete from a different individual.
Botany.
fertilization of the flower of one plant by a gamete from the flower of a closely related plant (opposed to self-fertilization).
(not in technical use) cross-pollination.
interaction or interchange, as between two or more cultures, fields of activity or knowledge, or the like, that is mutually beneficial and productive: a cross-fertilization of scientific and technical disciplines.
Origin of cross-fertilization
First recorded in 1875–80
Words nearby cross-fertilization
cross-examine,
cross-eye,
cross-eyed,
cross-fade,
cross-fertile,
cross-fertilization,
cross-fertilize,
cross-file,
cross-garnet,
cross-gartered,
cross-grained
Example sentences from the Web for cross-fertilization
British Dictionary definitions for cross-fertilization
cross-fertilization
noun
fertilization by the fusion of male and female gametes from different individuals of the same species
Compare self-fertilization
Derived forms of cross-fertilization
cross-fertile, adjectiveScientific definitions for cross-fertilization
cross-fertilization
The fertilization that occurs when the nucleus of a male sex cell from one individual joins with the nucleus of a female sex cell from another individual. In plants, cross-pollination is an example of cross-fertilization. Also called allogamy Compare self-fertilization.