male
having or relating to a gender identity that corresponds to a complex, variable set of social and cultural roles, traits, and behaviors assigned to people of the sex that typically produces sperm cells. : See Usage note at gender1
Biology. of, relating to, or being an animal or human of the sex or sexual phase that normally produces sperm cells during reproduction.: See Usage note at sex1
Botany. designating or relating to a plant or its reproductive structure producing or containing microspores.
Botany. (of seed plants) staminate.
of, relating to, or characteristic of a male person; masculine: a male voice.
comprising male people: a male choir.
Machinery. made to fit into a corresponding open or recessed part: a male plug.: Compare female (def. 5).
a male person.
Biology. an animal, plant, or plant structure that normally produces sperm cells as part of the process of reproduction.
Origin of male
1synonym study For male
Opposites for male
Other words from male
- male·ness, noun
- an·ti·male, noun, adjective
- in·ter·male, adjective
- su·per·male, noun
Words that may be confused with male
Other definitions for Male (2 of 3)
a city in and the capital of the Maldives.
How to use male in a sentence
Both males and females at parties, weddings, and celebrations perform it.
Iran’s Becoming a Footloose Nation as Dance Lessons Spread | IranWire | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTBlacks, males especially, do have reason to be more afraid of cops than whites do.
The site found that young black males are far more likely to be shot by cops than young white males.
The NY Police Union’s Vile War with Mayor De Blasio | Michael Tomasky | December 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTConsensual sex between males in private should be decriminalized.
The Castration of Alan Turing, Britain’s Code-Breaking WWII Hero | Clive Irving | November 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“African-American males have some of the worst health data out of any sort of gender-race combination in our country,” he said.
The children of Israel, having been sent out by Jahweh to punish the Midianites, "slew all the males."
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordBy statute a later date, twenty-one for males and eighteen for females has been fixed in many states.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesThey were always hens; for the sisters objected to males of every description; moreover, they objected to the singing.
Skipper Worse | Alexander Lange KiellandWhen she was unaware of the name she was accustomed to address all males by the epithet "man."
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3) | Charles James WillsCan you think why the females and the young males of the reindeer herd could drive the old stags away during the winter?
The Later Cave-Men | Katharine Elizabeth Dopp
British Dictionary definitions for male (1 of 2)
/ (meɪl) /
of, relating to, or designating the sex producing gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes (ova)
of, relating to, or characteristic of a man; masculine
for or composed of men or boys: a male choir
(of gametes) capable of fertilizing an egg cell in sexual reproduction
(of reproductive organs, such as a testis or stamen) capable of producing male gametes
(of flowers) bearing stamens but lacking a functional pistil
electronics mechanical engineering having a projecting part or parts that fit into a female counterpart: a male plug
a male person, animal, or plant
Origin of male
1Derived forms of male
- maleness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Malé (2 of 2)
/ (ˈmɑːleɪ) /
the capital of the Republic of Maldives, on Malé Island in the centre of the island group. Pop: 90 000 (2005 est)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for male
[ māl ]
In organisms that reproduce sexually, being the gamete that is smaller and more motile than the other corresponding gamete of the same species (the female gamete). The sperm cells of higher animals and plants are male gametes.
Possessing or being a structure that produces only male gametes. The testicles of humans are male reproductive organs. Male flowers possess only stamens and no carpels.
A male organism.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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