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; see origin at spermato-, -zoon

Example Sentences

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

From BBC • May 19, 2022

If a y-chromosome spermatozoon happens to penetrate the female ovum, the get is a boy; if an x-chromosome, it is a girl.

From Time Magazine Archive

Normally the male spermatozoon is what determines the sex of the offspring.

From Time Magazine Archive

Since there was no spermatozoon in the case of the fatherless rabbit, therefore no male-determining pattern, the Pincus rabbit is a female.

From Time Magazine Archive

The microgamete in this case is the male element and equivalent to a spermatozoon; the megagamete is the female and equivalent to an egg-cell.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 4 "Finland" to "Fleury, Andre" by Various