viviparous

American  

[vahy-vip-er-uhs, vi-] / vaɪˈvɪp ər əs, vɪ- /

adjective

1. Zoology. bringing forth living young rather than eggs, as most mammals and some reptiles and fishes.

2. Botany. producing seeds that germinate on the plant.

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viviparous British  

/ vɪˈvɪpərəs, ˌvɪvɪˈpærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. (of animals) producing offspring that as embryos develop within and derive nourishment from the body of the female parent Compare oviparous ovoviviparous

2. (of plants) producing bulbils or young plants instead of flowers

3. (of seeds) germinating before separating from the parent plant

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viviparous Scientific  

/ vī-vĭp′ər-əs /

1. Giving birth to living young that develop within the mother's body rather than hatching from eggs. All mammals except the monotremes are viviparous.

2. Compare oviparous ovoviviparous

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Other Word Forms

• nonviviparity noun
• nonviviparous adjective
• nonviviparously adverb
• nonviviparousness noun
• viviparism noun
• viviparity noun
• viviparously adverb
• viviparousness noun

Etymology

Origin of viviparous

First recorded in 1640–50, viviparous is from the Latin word vīviparus bringing forth living young. See vivi-, -parous

Compare meaning

How does viviparous compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• oviparous vs. viviparous

Explanation

You didn't hatch from an egg, did you? That means you were born to a viviparous mother. The adjective viviparous describes something that gives birth to living things, rather than eggs. Breaking viviparous down into parts can help you understand its meaning. Vivi looks a lot like vivus, Latin for "alive." Parous comes from the Latin word parere, meaning "produce, bring forth, give birth to." To pronounce it correctly, say "VIE-vip-uh-rus." Then say "thank you" to your mother.

Example Sentences

"It's a real prime area for the only native lizard that we get in Northern Ireland - the viviparous lizard," he added.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2025

A few species of sharks are viviparous: The young develop within the mother’s body and she gives live birth.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Other species are viviparous, with the offspring born alive.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Variations on the theme could also be common in the other types of caecilians – offspring of the viviparous Scolecomorphidae family are known to feed on the lining of their mother’s uterus before birth.

From Scientific American • Apr. 17, 2013

“The discoveries of Pfitzner and Kawaguchi were at last made use of. An intensive propaganda against viviparous reproduction ...” “Perfect!” cried Fanny enthusiastically.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley