spermatozoon
[ spur-mat-uh-zoh-uhn, -on, spur-muh-tuh- ]
/ spɜrˌmæt əˈzoʊ ən, -ɒn, ˌspɜr mə tə- /
Save This Word!
noun, plural sper·mat·o·zo·a [spur-mat-uh-zoh-uh, spur-muh-tuh-]. /spɜrˌmæt əˈzoʊ ə, ˌspɜr mə tə-/. Cell Biology.
one of the minute, usually actively motile gametes in semen, which serve to fertilize the ovum; a mature male reproductive cell.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
OTHER WORDS FROM spermatozoon
sper·mat·o·zo·al, sper·mat·o·zo·an, sper·mat·o·zo·ic, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use spermatozoon in a sentence
Spermatozoa are produced in Spongilla from spherical cells not unlike the eggs in general appearance.
Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa|Nelson AnnandaleSpermatozoa originate in the testis as cells, which are filled with granules.
Plain Facts for Old and Young|John Harvey Kellogg
British Dictionary definitions for spermatozoon
spermatozoon
/ (ˌspɜːmətəʊˈzəʊɒn) /
noun plural -zoa (-ˈzəʊə)
any of the male reproductive cells released in the semen during ejaculation, consisting of a flattened egg-shaped head, a long neck, and a whiplike tail by which it moves to fertilize the female ovumAlso called: sperm, zoosperm
Derived forms of spermatozoon
spermatozoal, spermatozoan or spermatozoic, adjectiveCollins 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 spermatozoon
spermatozoon
[ spər-măt′ə-zō′ŏn′, -ən, spûr′mə-tə- ]
n. pl. sper•mat•o•zo•a (-zō′ə)
The mature male gamete or sex cell that consists of a cylindrical nucleated cell with a short neck and a thin motile tail, contains genetic information to be transmitted by the male, exhibits autokinesia, and is able to effect zygosis with an ovum; sperm.
Other words from spermatozoon
sper•mat′o•zo′al (-zō′əl) null null adj.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for spermatozoon
spermatozoon
[ spər-măt′ə-zō′ŏn′ ]
Plural spermatozoa
A sperm cell produced in the testis of an animal.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.