zygote

[ zahy-goht, zig-oht ]

/ ˈzaɪ goʊt, ˈzɪg oʊt /

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noun Biology.

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

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Origin of zygote

1885–90; <Greek zygōtós yoked, equivalent to zygō-, variant stem of zygoûn to yoke, join together (derivative of zygónyoke¹) + -tos adj. suffix

Words nearby zygote

zygopteran, zygosis, zygosity, zygosporangium, zygospore, zygote, zygotene, zygotic, -zygous, zymase, zyme

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

How to use zygote in a sentence

So to better understand what makes a zygote split to form identical twins, “it makes sense to look at epigenetics,” van Dongen says.
All identical twins may share a common set of chemical markers on their DNA|Jonathan Lambert|September 28, 2021|Science News
It’s possible that some of these epigenetic changes tell a zygote to split.
All identical twins may share a common set of chemical markers on their DNA|Jonathan Lambert|September 28, 2021|Science News
The zygote was then returned to the mother’s uterus, where it could implant and grow in an otherwise normal pregnancy.
Solving mysteries of reproduction helped make parenthood possible for millions|Robin Marantz Henig|June 9, 2021|Science News
This ensures that the zygote will have a normal genetic complement of just two pairs of 23 chromosomes, one from the mother and one from the father, rather than a grossly inflated number that would result if multiple sperm fertilized the egg.
Solving mysteries of reproduction helped make parenthood possible for millions|Robin Marantz Henig|June 9, 2021|Science News

The zygote contains all the genetic information it needs to become a new individual.
Scientists Say: Egg and sperm|Bethany Brookshire|March 8, 2021|Science News For Students
From such a cell (zygote), half male, half female, the body of every living organism has sprung.
Feminism and Sex-Extinction|Arabella Kenealy
If this is true, the centrosome of the zygote nucleus must be entirely derived from that of the male pronucleus.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3|Various
The first change the zygote undergoes in all animals is what is generally called the segmentation or cleavage of the ovum.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3|Various
Is it, in other words, an unalterable property of the zygote, a genetic character?
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3|Various
But when the zygote in its turn comes to form gametes, the partnership is broken and the process is reversed.
Mendelism|Reginald Crundall Punnett

British Dictionary definitions for zygote

zygote

/ (ˈzaɪɡəʊt, ˈzɪɡ-) /

noun

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

the organism that develops from such a cell

Derived forms of zygote

zygotic (zaɪˈɡɒtɪk, zɪ-), adjectivezygotically, adverb

Word Origin for zygote

C19: from Greek zugōtos yoked, from zugoun to yoke

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 zygote

zygote

[ zī′gōt′ ]

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

Cultural definitions for zygote

zygote

[ (zeye-goht) ]

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.