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

A $70 annual membership gives you access to cycle and ovulation tracking and other features.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025

A saliva test is also a reliable way to show a rise in oestrogen levels, which happens before ovulation.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2025

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

Twenty-four hours after the deed, my mother’s body temperature rose another two tenths, confirming ovulation.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides