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superfecundation

American  
[soo-per-fee-kuhn-dey-shuhn, -fek-uhn-] / ˌsu pərˌfi kənˈdeɪ ʃən, -ˌfɛk ən- /

noun

  1. the fertilization of two or more ova discharged at the same ovulation by successive acts of sexual intercourse.


superfecundation British  
/ ˌsuːpəˌfiːkənˈdeɪʃən /

noun

  1. physiol the fertilization of two or more ova, produced during the same menstrual cycle, by sperm ejaculated during two or more acts of sexual intercourse

"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

Etymology

Origin of superfecundation

1850–55; super- + fecundation ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Michelle and Lavinia, 49, exist because of an incredibly rare biological process called heteropaternal superfecundation.

From BBC May 2, 2026

So how does superfecundation with multiple fathers happen at all?

From The Guardian Dec. 11, 2018

Although rare in humans, heteropaternal superfecundation is common in dogs, cats and cows, Carroll explains.

From The Guardian Dec. 11, 2018

A 1992 study found that superfecundation twins were at the root of more than 2% of paternity suits in the United States involving twins.

From Time May 8, 2015

Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, called it a case of superfecundation, a rare phenomenon classically illustrated in medical textbooks with a black baby and a white baby who are twins.

From New York Times May 7, 2015

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