ovum
[ oh-vuhm ]
/ ˈoʊ vəm /
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noun, plural o·va [oh-vuh]. /ˈoʊ və/.
Cell Biology.
- the female reproductive cell or gamete of animals, which is capable of developing, usually only after fertilization, into a new individual.
- the female reproductive cell or gamete of plants.
Architecture. an oval ornament, as in an egg-and-dart molding.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of ovum
Words nearby ovum
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for ovum
British Dictionary definitions for ovum
ovum
/ (ˈəʊvəm) /
noun plural ova (ˈəʊvə)
an unfertilized female gamete; egg cell
Word Origin for ovum
from Latin: egg
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
Medical definitions for ovum
ovum
[ ō′vəm ]
n. pl. o•va (ō′və)
The female reproductive cell or gamete; egg.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for ovum
ovum
[ ō′vəm ]
Plural ova
The mature reproductive cell of female animals, produced in the ovaries. See more at egg.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.