ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fertilization

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌfɝtəɫɪˈzeɪʃən// fer·til·iza·tion

n. the process of joining a male and female cell to start the growth of a new life. In farming, it also means adding nutrients to soil to help plants grow better.

n. the fusion of male and female gametes to initiate the development of a new organism. In an agricultural context, refers to the application of nutrients to soil or plants to enhance growth and productivity.


SIMPLE

The farmer finished the fertilization of the fields yesterday.

CONTEXTUAL

Successful fertilization of the egg must occur within a specific window of time for the embryo to develop properly.

COMPLEX

Modern agricultural practices rely heavily on chemical fertilization to maintain high crop yields, though organic alternatives are increasingly favoured for long-term soil health and environmental sustainability.

Synonyms
Origin

From French fertilisation; equivalent to fertilize + -ation.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the biological process; can be countable when referring to specific instances or methods of applying nutrients.

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