zygote

American  

[zahy-goht, zig-oht] / ˈzaɪ goʊt, ˈzɪg oʊt /

noun

Biology.

1. the cell produced by the union of two gametes, before it undergoes cleavage.

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zygote British  

/ ˈzɪɡ-, zɪ-, ˈzaɪɡəʊt, zaɪˈɡɒtɪk /

noun

1. the cell resulting from the union of an ovum and a spermatozoon

2. the organism that develops from such a cell

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zygote Scientific  

/ zī′gōt′ /

1. The cell formed by the union of the nuclei of two reproductive cells (gametes), especially a fertilized egg cell.

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zygote Cultural  

1. The single cell that results from fertilization of an ovum by a sperm. After dividing several times, it implants in the uterus. It continues to divide, producing more cells and passing through the stages of embryo and fetus.

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Other Word Forms

• zygotic
  adjective
• zygotically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of zygote

1885–90; < Greek zygōtós yoked, equivalent to zygō-, variant stem of zygoûn to yoke, join together (derivative of zygón yoke ¹ ) + -tos adj. suffix

Compare meaning

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

• gamete vs. zygote

Explanation

A zygote is a fertilized egg. The sperm cell (spermatozoon) and the egg (ovum) each have only half the genes of the parent cell — they're haploid cells. When the spermatozoon fertilizes the ovum, the resulting cell has the full complement of genes, so it's a diploid cell. The diploid cell then divides rapidly, becoming first an embryo, then a fetus. The word zygote comes from the Greek word for yoke — joining two things together, like hitching two oxen together to pull a plow.

Example Sentences

Hell, social media as we know it was a zygote.

From Salon • Jul. 31, 2025

Since Rachel and Alvy only ever feel like constructs, not characters, it’s predictable that their attitudes would reverse once their zygote is encased in egg-shaped plastic.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 11, 2023

This is strikingly apparent in the development of a new organism—a human being, say—from a single fertilized egg, or zygote.

From Scientific American • May 31, 2023

Yes, all the zygote seems to get by way of instruction is a genome, but you will look there in vain for any blueprint for a heart or brain.

From Scientific American • May 31, 2023

As in the case of so many other forms of matter, the more important properties of the zygote do not become apparent until it is submitted to the action of external forces.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various