parthenogenesis

noun

par·​the·​no·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpär-thə-nō-ˈje-nə-səs How to pronounce parthenogenesis (audio)
: reproduction by development of an unfertilized usually female gamete that occurs especially among lower plants and invertebrate animals
parthenogenetic adjective
or less commonly parthenogenic
parthenogenetically adverb

Examples of parthenogenesis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Scientists are only just beginning to understand how many species can perform parthenogenesis. Evan Bush, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024 But for many other species that only occasionally undergo parthenogenesis, offspring might not be as robust, Lyons says. Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2024 Though parthenogenesis has been seen before, Charlotte’s specific species, the round stingray, has never been reported to give birth this way. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Feb. 2024 The alternative source of Charlotte's pregnancy – and what experts and the aquarium believe to be the true case – is a rare phenomenon known as parthenogenesis. Li Cohen, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2024 Massive Stingray Caught in Cambodia Becomes the World's Largest Freshwater Fish Ever Recorded One is a rare asexual reproduction process called parthenogenesis, in which eggs develop into an embryo without fertilization. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024 In the past six years, the arachnids have spread across 19 states, colonizing new areas incredibly quickly thanks to an unusual reproductive strategy called parthenogenesis. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023 Brookfield Zoo's female adult epaulette sharks originated at the New England Aquarium, where the first instance of parthenogenesis was recorded. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2023 The University of Maryland, Baltimore County, cites certain species of lizards and crustaceans are more inclined to asexually reproduce through parthenogenesis compared to sharks and other more complex vertebrates. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 6 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parthenogenesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek parthenos + Latin genesis genesis

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parthenogenesis was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near parthenogenesis

Cite this Entry

“Parthenogenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parthenogenesis. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

parthenogenesis

noun
par·​the·​no·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpär-thə-nō-ˈje-nə-səs How to pronounce parthenogenesis (audio)
: reproduction especially among lower plants and invertebrates in which a germ cell that has not undergone fertilization develops into a new individual

Medical Definition

parthenogenesis

noun
par·​the·​no·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpär-thə-nō-ˈjen-ə-səs How to pronounce parthenogenesis (audio)
plural parthenogeneses -ˌsēz How to pronounce parthenogenesis (audio)
: reproduction by development of an unfertilized usually female gamete that occurs especially among lower plants and invertebrate animals

More from Merriam-Webster on parthenogenesis

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