spermatozoon

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

noun

, Cell Biology.

, plural sper·mat·o·zo·a [spur-mat-, uh, -, zoh, -, uh, spur-m, uh, -t, uh, -].

1. one of the minute, usually actively motile gametes in semen, which serve to fertilize the ovum; a mature male reproductive cell.

spermatozoon

/ ˌspɜːmətəʊˈzəʊɒn /

noun

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 calledspermzoosperm

spermatozoon

/ spər-măt′ə-zō′ŏn′ /

, Plural spermatozoa

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

Derived Forms

• ˌspermatoˈzoal, adjective

Other Words From

• spermat·o·zoal spermat·o·zoan spermat·o·zoic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spermatozoon¹

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