Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

sex cell

American  

noun

  1. a spermatozoon or an ovum; gamete.


sex cell Scientific  
  1. See gamete


Etymology

Origin of sex cell

First recorded in 1885–90

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.

One of them had a mutation in a sex cell — whether it was an egg or sperm, the scientists can’t tell.

From New York Times • Feb. 5, 2018

Some of this trend may be due to alterations that occur in sex cell DNA that are then passed on through affected sperm but more studies need to firm up that relationship.

From Scientific American • Mar. 5, 2015

But instead of churning out new viruses that infect other cells, the infected sex cell does something else: It becomes a new koala.

From Slate • Dec. 6, 2012

These seek their complement in the other sex cell, but if the male micro-cellules preponderate in number over the female the result will be a male embryo, and vice versa.

From Time Magazine Archive