anisogamy

American

[an-ahy-sog-uh-mee] / ˌæn aɪˈsɒg ə mi /

noun

Biology.

the union of anisogametes.

anisogamy British

/ ˌænaɪˈsɒɡəmɪ /

noun

a type of sexual reproduction in which the gametes are dissimilar, either in size alone or in size and form

"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

Other Word Forms

anisogamous adjective

Etymology

Origin of anisogamy

First recorded in 1890–95; aniso- + -gamy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This is known as anisogamy and usually causes males to compete for females through the evolution of weapons such as antlers in deer, or adornments such as the beautiful tail of the peacock.

From Washington Post

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023