spermatozoon

[ spur-mat-uh-zoh-uhn, -on, spur-muh-tuh- ]

noun,plural sper·mat·o·zo·a [spur-mat-uh-zoh-uh, spur-muh-tuh-]. /spɜrˌmæt əˈzoʊ ə, ˌspɜr mə tə-/. Cell Biology.
  1. one of the minute, usually actively motile gametes in semen, which serve to fertilize the ovum; a mature male reproductive cell.

Origin of spermatozoon

1
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

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British Dictionary definitions for spermatozoon

spermatozoon

/ (ˌspɜːmətəʊˈzəʊɒn) /


nounplural -zoa (-ˈzəʊə)
  1. 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 ovum: Also 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

Scientific definitions for spermatozoon

spermatozoon

[ spər-măt′ə-zōŏn′ ]


Plural spermatozoa
  1. 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.