1. the process by which a sperm cell unites with an egg cell to form a new organism
Usage: British spelling; American English uses 'fertilization'; biology term
2. the application of fertilizer to soil or plants to improve growth and productivity
Usage: agriculture term

Examples

• Fertilisation occurs when the sperm penetrates the egg membrane.
• In plants, fertilisation happens when pollen reaches the stigma.
• The fertilisation of the soil with compost improved crop yields.
• Farmers plan the timing of fertilisation to maximize plant growth.
• Without proper fertilisation, the garden produced very few vegetables.
• The biologist studied fertilisation under a microscope.