spermatozoon

American  

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

noun

Cell Biology.

plural

spermatozoa

1. 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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spermatozoon British  

/ ˌspɜːmətəʊˈzəʊɒn /

noun

1. Also called: sperm.   zoosperm.  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

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spermatozoon Scientific  

/ spər-măt′ə-zō′ŏn′ /

plural

spermatozoa

1. A sperm cell produced in the testis of an animal.

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Other Word Forms

• spermatozoal adjective
• spermatozoan adjective
• spermatozoic adjective

Etymology

Origin of spermatozoon

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

Example Sentences

Mature spermatozoa are characterized by an head, midpiece and a long tail for locomotion.

From Science Daily

Converting these cells into viable spermatozoa could help to save the critically endangered animal from extinction.

From Scientific American

The Oklahoma measure defines fertilisation as the "fusion of a human spermatozoon with a human ovum".

From BBC

In Mr. Wiley’s “Napoleon,” from 2005, the Alpine setting has given way to an abstract ground of red and gold brocade, speckled, strange to say, by swimming spermatozoa.

From New York Times

Some artists rendered the fireworks as feathery plumes, others as squiggly spermatozoa.

From Washington Post