spermatozoon

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

/ spɜrˌmæt əˈzoʊ ən, -ɒn, ˌspɜr mə tə- /

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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.

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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

Words nearby spermatozoon

spermatorrhea, spermatorrhoea, spermatotoxic, spermatotoxin, spermatozoid, spermatozoon, sperm bank, sperm cell, spermic, spermicide, spermidine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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

Scientific definitions for spermatozoon

spermatozoon

[ spər-măt′ə-zō′ŏn′ ]

Plural spermatozoa

A sperm cell produced in the testis of an animal.