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Fertilize Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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fertilize

[ˈfɜːrtɪlaɪz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

agriculture

To apply fertilizers to (soil or plants) to promote growth and productivity.

Synonyms

enrich, feed, nourish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fertilize

Used specifically in the context of agriculture and gardening to describe adding nutrients to soil to help plants grow.

  • Farmers often fertilize their fields in the spring
  • She decided to fertilize her garden with organic compost
enrich

Can be used in both agricultural/gardening contexts and figuratively to mean improving the quality or value of something.

  • We need to enrich the soil before planting the vegetables
  • Traveling can enrich your life experience
nourish

Often used in the context of providing substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition. It has a broader, more holistic meaning than 'feed'.

  • Parents should nourish their children with not just food, but also love and education
  • You must nourish the plants with regular watering and sunlight
feed

Best used when talking about giving food to people, animals, or occasionally plants. In agriculture, it typically refers to providing food for livestock rather than plants.

  • She needs to feed the baby at regular intervals
  • They feed the chickens every morning

Examples of usage

  • The farmers fertilize their fields in the spring to ensure a successful harvest.
  • It is important to fertilize your garden regularly to keep the plants healthy and vibrant.
Context #2 | Verb

biology

To make (an egg or female animal) capable of development by introducing male reproductive material.

Synonyms

impregnate, inseminate, pollinate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
fertilize

Can also refer to the biological process of fusion of male and female gametes.

  • The pollen from the male flower will fertilize the ovules of the female flower.
  • Fertilize the egg first before it can start developing into an embryo.
impregnate

Commonly used when referring to making a female pregnant; can have negative connotations if used inappropriately.

  • The mare was successfully impregnated by the stallion.
  • Artificially impregnating animals has become a standard practice in breeding programs.
inseminate

Typically used in medical or veterinary contexts, referring to the deliberate introduction of sperm into the female reproductive system.

  • The clinic offers to inseminate women who are struggling with infertility issues.
  • Veterinarians often inseminate livestock to improve breeding success rates.
pollinate

Specifically refers to the process of transferring pollen from the male part of a plant to the female part, often done by insects, wind, or humans.

  • Bees are crucial because they help pollinate many of the crops we eat.
  • Farmers sometimes need to manually pollinate their plants to ensure fruit production.

Examples of usage

  • The sperm fertilizes the egg to form a zygote.
  • In some species, males fertilize the females externally.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Agriculture

  • Fertilizers can be organic, like compost and manure, or synthetic, like chemical mixes made in factories.
  • Using fertilizers properly can significantly increase crop yields, which helps feed the growing world population.

Environmental Science

  • Excessive use of fertilizers can lead to water pollution, causing harmful algal blooms in lakes and rivers.
  • Sustainable practices encourage the use of natural composts and rotating crops to enrich the soil without harming the environment.

Cultural Practices

  • Different cultures have unique traditional practices for fertilizing crops, often using local materials like fish, ash, or specific plants.
  • Some communities rely on permaculture techniques, which work to create a self-sustaining ecosystem rather than using synthetic fertilizers.

Biology

  • Fertilizing is a key part of plant reproduction; in biology, it's also used to describe the process where a sperm cell combines with an egg to create new life.
  • In gardening, fertilizing is timed with plant growth cycles to optimize health and production.

Origin of 'fertilize'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'fertilis', meaning fruitful or producing abundantly.
  • The term began being used in English in the late 15th century, primarily in agriculture contexts.

The word 'fertilize' has its roots in the Latin word 'fertilis', meaning fruitful or productive. The concept of fertilizing soil to enhance plant growth dates back to ancient agricultural practices. In the context of biology, the term refers to the process of fertilization, where male and female reproductive cells combine to initiate development. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass various fields, emphasizing the idea of promoting growth and productivity.

See also: fertileness, fertility, fertilization, fertilizer, infertile, infertility.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,665, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.