ovulation

Scientific  

/ ō′vyə-lā′shən,ŏv′yə-lā′shən /

1. The release of an egg cell (ovum) from the ovary in female animals, regulated in mammals by hormones produced by the pituitary gland during the menstrual cycle.

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ovulation Cultural  

1. The periodic release of an ovum from the ovaries (usually from only one ovary). After the ovum is released, it travels into the fallopian tube, and from there is moved to the uterus. Ovulation generally happens approximately two weeks into the menstrual cycle.

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Example Sentences

Male bonobos are able to interpret female fertility signals that do not reliably reflect ovulation.

From Science Daily • Dec. 14, 2025

The Wall Street Journal reported that the developer, Flo Health, shared users’ sensitive data, such as ovulation status and period information, with Meta between 2016 and 2019.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025

But if the hypothalamus isn't happy, this process breaks down and ovulation doesn't happen.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2024

As the Washington Post noted, "Emergency contraceptive pills such as Plan B and Ella work by inhibiting or delaying ovulation, thereby preventing sperm from fertilizing the egg."

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2024

These super cows were injected with hormones to increase ovulation drastically and cause the production of multiple embryos.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger