spermatozoon

[ spur-mat-uh-zoh-uhn, -on, spur-muh-tuh- ]
/ spɜrˌmæt əˈzoʊ ən, -ɒn, ˌspɜr mə tə- /

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.

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Origin of spermatozoon

From New Latin, dating back to 1830–40; see origin at spermato-, -zoon

OTHER WORDS FROM spermatozoon

sper·mat·o·zo·al, sper·mat·o·zo·an, sper·mat·o·zo·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for spermatozoon

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, adjective
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 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.