fertilization

/ˌfɜːtəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌfɜːrtələˈzeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌfər-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən/ (ame, mw)

fertilization — noun

1. the moment when a male reproductive cell joins with a female egg or seed, starti

1.名詞B2
釋義

the moment when a male reproductive cell joins with a female egg or seed, starting the growth of a new animal or plant

例句

In humans, fertilization usually happens inside the mother's body soon after the egg is released.

uncountable noun naming a biological event

Manuela and her partner chose in vitro fertilization after trying for years.

fixed phrase: 'in vitro fertilization' (IVF)

同義詞
  • conception

    Used for humans/animals at the moment a new life begins; narrower and more everyday than fertilization.

  • pollination

    Specifically the pollen-to-flower step in plants; fertilization is what happens after pollination succeeds.

  • insemination

    Formal/technical; the placing of sperm into the female body — a step before fertilization, not the cell-joining itself.

文法句型

fertilization of [egg/cell]

in vitro fertilization

用法筆記

Subject is usually a biological process or a plant/animal/cell; not a person. Often appears as the fixed phrase 'in vitro fertilization' (IVF) in medical contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor did a fertilization to Manuela.
✅The doctor performed in vitro fertilization for Manuela.
💡fertilization is the biological event, not something a person directly does to another person; pair it with verbs like 'perform', 'undergo', or 'happen'.

2. the work of putting substances onto soil or plants so that crops grow faster and

2.名詞B2
釋義

the work of putting substances onto soil or plants so that crops grow faster and stronger

例句

Regular fertilization helped the rice fields produce a much bigger harvest this year.

regular + fertilization (frequency collocation)

Wei studied how the fertilization of dry soil could double a wheat farmer's crop.

fertilization + of + [soil/crop]

同義詞
  • feeding

    Everyday word that gardeners use for the same activity on a smaller, home-garden scale.

  • manuring

    Specifically using animal waste; fertilization covers any kind of plant food, natural or chemical.

文法句型

fertilization of [soil/field/crop]

regular fertilization

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense refers to a farming activity, not a biological event. Subject is usually a person, farm, or process; object is usually soil, a crop, or a plant.

常見錯誤

❌I will fertilization my tomatoes tomorrow.
✅I will fertilize my tomatoes tomorrow.
💡fertilization is a noun for the activity; the verb form is 'fertilize'.