fertilize

[ fur-tl-ahyz ]
/ ˈfɜr tlˌaɪz /

verb (used with object), fer·ti·lized, fer·ti·liz·ing.

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).
to make fertile; enrich: to fertilize farmland.
to make productive.
Also especially British, fer·ti·lise.

Origin of fertilize

First recorded in 1640–50; fertile + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM fertilize

Words nearby fertilize

fertility cult, fertility drug, fertility factor, fertility symbol, fertilization, fertilize, fertilizer, fertilizin, ferula, ferule, ferulic acid

Example sentences from the Web for unfertilized

British Dictionary definitions for unfertilized (1 of 2)

unfertilized

unfertilised

/ (ʌnˈfɜːtɪˌlaɪzd) /

adjective

(of an animal, plant, or egg cell) not fertilized an unfertilized ovum

British Dictionary definitions for unfertilized (2 of 2)

fertilize

fertilise

/ (ˈfɜːtɪˌlaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to provide (an animal, plant, or egg cell) with sperm or pollen to bring about fertilization
to supply (soil or water) with mineral and organic nutrients to aid the growth of plants
to make fertile or productive

Derived forms of fertilize

fertilizable or fertilisable, adjective