fertilization

fertilization
    n 1: creation by the physical union of male and female gametes;
         of sperm and ova in an animal or pollen and ovule in a
         plant [syn: {fertilization}, {fertilisation},
         {fecundation}, {impregnation}]
    2: making fertile as by applying fertilizer or manure [syn:
       {fertilization}, {fertilisation}, {fecundation}, {dressing}]
    

Fertilization \Fer`ti*li*za"tion\, n.
   1. The act or process of rendering fertile.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Biol.) The act of fecundating or impregnating animal or
      vegetable germs; esp., the process by which in flowers the
      pollen renders the ovule fertile, or an analogous process
      in flowerless plants; fecundation; impregnation.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Close fertilization} (Bot.), the fertilization of pistils by
      pollen derived from the stamens of the same blossom.

   {Cross fertilization}, fertilization by pollen from some
      other blossom. See under {Cross}, a.
      [1913 Webster]