( BrE also fer·til·ise ) / ˈfɜːtəlaɪz; NAmE ˈfɜːrt-/ verb [ vn ]
1.
to put pollen into a plant so that a seed develops; to join sperm with an egg so that a baby or young animal develops :
Flowers are often fertilized by bees as they gather nectar.
a fertilized egg
2.
to add a substance to soil to make plants grow more successfully
► fer·til·ization , fer·til·isation / ˌfɜːtəlaɪˈzeɪʃn; NAmE ˌfɜːrtələˈz-/ noun [ U ]:
Immediately after fertilization, the cells of the egg divide.
the fertilization of soil with artificial chemicals