fertilization - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

Fertilization means you're applying something to the soil to make it better. Chemicals or even manure can be used for fertilization. That may not smell very nice, but your plants will grow better as a result.

The noun fertilization also can refer to the process that allows humans and animals to reproduce. Fertilization occurs when an egg and sperm come together. Fertilization might happen if your dog keeps hanging out with that golden retriever down the street — then you can look forward to raising some puppies. Similarly, fertilization of a plant can occur when a bee transfers pollen from one flower to another.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: fertilization

1	n	making fertile as by applying fertilizer or manure
2	n	creation by the physical union of male and female gametes; of sperm and ova in an animal or pollen and ovule in a plant

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: fertilization

1

n making fertile as by applying fertilizer or manure

Synonyms:: dressing, fecundation, fertilisation

Types:: top dressing
a layer of fertilizer or manure not plowed in

Type of:: enrichment
act of making fuller or more meaningful or rewarding

2

n creation by the physical union of male and female gametes; of sperm and ova in an animal or pollen and ovule in a plant

Synonyms:: fecundation, fertilisation, impregnation

Types:: show 9 types...; hide 9 types...; pollenation, pollination
transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of a plant; cross-fertilisation, cross-fertilization
fertilization by the union of male and female gametes from different individual of the same species; self-fertilisation, self-fertilization
fertilization by the union of male and female gametes from the same individual; superfecundation
fertilization of two or more ova released during the same menstrual cycle by sperm from separate acts of coitus (especially by different males); superfetation
fertilization of a second ovum after a pregnancy has begun; results in two fetuses of different ages in the uterus at the same time; allogamy
cross-fertilization in plants; autogamy
self-fertilization in plants; cross-pollination
fertilization by transfer of pollen from the anthers of one flower to the stigma of another; self-pollination
fertilization by transfer of pollen from the anthers to the stigma of the same flower

Type of:: conception, creation
the event that occurred at the beginning of something