ovarian

adjective

ovar·​i·​an ō-ˈver-ē-ən How to pronounce ovarian (audio)
variants or less commonly ovarial
: of, relating to, or involving an ovary
ovarian cancer

Examples of ovarian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bertrand was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1999 and was later diagnosed with breast cancer before her death in January 2007. Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025 Bertrand, Jolie's mother, who was also an actress, died in 2007 following an eight-year battle with both breast and ovarian cancer. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025 Research suggests women who’ve used oral contraceptives have a 30 to 50% lower risk of ovarian cancer than those who haven’t. Erica Sloan, SELF, 5 Sep. 2025 Her life took quite a different and unexpected tumble, though, in 2011 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 34. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ovarian

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ovarian was in 1759

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Cite this Entry

“Ovarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ovarian. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

ovarian

adjective
ovar·​i·​an ō-ˈvar-ē-ən How to pronounce ovarian (audio)
-ˈver-
: of, relating to, or produced by an ovary
ovarian hormones

Medical Definition

ovarian

adjective
ovar·​i·​an ō-ˈvar-ē-ən, -ˈver- How to pronounce ovarian (audio)
variants also ovarial
: of, relating to, affecting, or involving an ovary
ovarian functions

More from Merriam-Webster on ovarian

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