ovulate

[ ov-yuh-leyt, oh-vyuh-leyt- ]

verb (used without object)

, Biology.

, ov·u·lat·ed, ov·u·lat·ing.

1. to produce and discharge eggs from an ovary or ovarian follicle.

ovulate

/ ˈɒvjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. intr to produce or discharge eggs from an ovary

Derived Forms

• ˌovuˈlation, noun

Other Words From

• ovu·lation noun
• ov·u·la·to·ry [ov, -y, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, oh, -vy, uh, -], adjective
• multi·ovu·late adjective
• multi·ovu·lated adjective
• pre·ovu·la·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovulate¹

First recorded in 1860–65; ovule + -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovulate¹

C19: from ovule

Example Sentences

Some of us with two x-chromosomes might have done a pregnancy test or two, or needed to figure out when they’re ovulating, but there’s not much to that.

From Time

The relief was overwhelming when we confirmed, by laparoscopically looking at the surface of the ovary, that the female had ovulated multiple eggs.

From The Daily Beast

The female we were working with was treated with hormones to help her ovulate at the proper time relative to the insemination procedure.

From The Daily Beast

How software inside the Flo app records information — say about when a user is ovulating — and passes it to Facebook, which can then use it to target ads, maybe for fertility services.

From Digiday

If the mice had enlarged ovaries or signs of recently ovulating, then the test subject was pregnant, Aschheim and Zondek claimed.

From Washington Post

“As long as they have an adequate body weight, most women will ovulate just fine, even on marathon weekend,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

Your doctor can help pinpoint any potential roadblocks and, in some cases, might prescribe medication to help you ovulate.

From The Daily Beast