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.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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. 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 Annandale
Spermatozoa 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, 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.

Scientific definitions for spermatozoon

spermatozoon

[ spər-măt′ə-zō′ŏn′ ]

Plural spermatozoa

A sperm cell produced in the testis of an animal.