fertilization by the fusion of male and female gametes from different individuals of the same species
Compare self-fertilization
Derived forms
cross-fertile (ˌcross-ˈfertile)
adjective
cross-fertilization in American English
(ˈkrɔsˌfɜːrtləˈzeiʃən, ˈkrɑs-)
noun
1. Biology
the fertilization of an organism by the fusion of an egg from one individual with a sperm or male gamete from a different individual
2. Botany
fertilization of the flower of one plant by a gamete from the flower of a closelyrelated plant (opposed to self-fertilization)
3. (not in technical use)
cross-pollination
4.
interaction or interchange, as between two or more cultures, fields of activity or knowledge, or the like, that is mutually beneficial and productive
a cross-fertilization of scientific and technical disciplines
Word origin
[1875–80]This word is first recorded in the period 1875–80. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: authoritarian, musical chairs, neoclassic, overdraft, weekender
Examples of 'cross-fertilization' in a sentence
cross-fertilization
The idea had not been all that unique, just the lucky cross-fertilization of one technology with another, Stone the catalyst.