English Reference

Word

fertilization

Phoneticsfer·til·iza·tion

/ˌfɝtəɫɪˈzeɪʃən/

UK spelling · fertilisation

Definitions

01joining of sperm and egg

B2 · Science

n. the moment when a male sperm and a female egg join together to start the development of a new life.

n. the fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote. This process is fundamental to sexual reproduction in both animals and plants.

“In many fish species, fertilization happens in the water rather than inside the body.”

“The success of in vitro fertilization depends heavily on the quality of the harvested gametes and the timing of the procedure.”

Technical

Usage

Often used in the context of 'internal' or 'external' fertilization.

Teaching tip

Note the spelling difference: 'fertilization' is American English, while 'fertilisation' is British English.

Synonyms

conceptionimpregnationfecundation

02adding nutrients to soil

B2 · Science

n. the act of putting natural or chemical substances into the soil to help plants grow better.

n. the application of organic or inorganic substances to soil or plant tissues to supply nutrients essential to plant growth.

“Regular fertilization of the lawn ensures the grass stays green and healthy all summer.”

“Excessive fertilization of agricultural runoff can lead to significant environmental damage in nearby water systems.”

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general practice; countable when referring to a specific instance of applying fertilizer.

Synonyms

enrichmentmanuring

Antonyms

03cross-fertilization of ideas

C1

n. the mixing of different ideas or cultures that results in something new and productive.

n. the metaphorical exchange or mixing of ideas, cultures, or influences that promotes growth or innovation.

“The meeting allowed for a fertilization of ideas between the marketing and design teams.”

“The city's vibrant art scene is the result of a constant cross-fertilization between local traditions and international influences.”

Academic

Usage

Commonly appears in the compound 'cross-fertilization'.

Teaching tip

This is a figurative use of the biological term. It implies that the mixture is 'fertile' or productive.

Real-World Examples

“In these cases, fertilization becomes a coordinated effort rather than a contest involving isolated cells.”
ScienceDaily · 6 Aug 2026

Etymology

From French fertilisation; equivalent to fertilize + -ation.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

fertilizationNounfertilizerNoun

Domain

Biology

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/fertilization

English Reference