fertilization
noun
fer·til·i·za·tion
ˌfər-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən 
: an act or process of making fertile: such as
a
: the application of fertilizer
b(1)
: an act or process of fecundation, insemination, or pollination
—not used technically
(2)
: the process of union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated
Examples of fertilization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, after an Alabama court ruled that frozen embryos were people, leaving in vitro fertilization in legal limbo, Democrats tried to pass a bill federally guaranteeing women’s right to IVF nationwide.
—
Catherine Rampell, Washington Post, 30 July 2024
In 1978: The world’s first in vitro fertilization baby, Louise Joy Brown, was born to parents Lesley and Peter Brown in Manchester, England.
—Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 25 July 2024
Harris can address reproductive rights, birth control, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) issues much more effectively, and more personally, than Biden.
—Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2024
The already choppy electoral waters got murkier earlier this year when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled embryos created via in vitro fertilization were considered children under state law.
—Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for fertilization 
Catherine Rampell, Washington Post, 30 July 2024
In 1978: The world’s first in vitro fertilization baby, Louise Joy Brown, was born to parents Lesley and Peter Brown in Manchester, England.
—Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 25 July 2024
Harris can address reproductive rights, birth control, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) issues much more effectively, and more personally, than Biden.
—Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2024
The already choppy electoral waters got murkier earlier this year when the Alabama Supreme Court ruled embryos created via in vitro fertilization were considered children under state law.
—Max Thornberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for fertilization
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fertilization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fertilization
Cite this Entry
“Fertilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fertilization. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fertilization
noun
fer·til·i·za·tion
ˌfərt-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən
1
: an act or process of making fertile
especially
: the application of fertilizer
2
: the union of male and female germ cells to form a zygote
Medical Definition
fertilization
noun
fer·til·iza·tion
variants
or British fertilisation
: an act or process of making fertile: as
a
: an act or process of fecundation, insemination, or impregnation
b
: the process of union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated
fertilize
transitive verb
or British fertilise
fertilized or British fertilised; fertilizing or British fertilising
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