parthenogenesis

noun

par·​the·​no·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpär-thə-nō-ˈje-nə-səs 

: reproduction by development of an unfertilized usually female gamete that occurs especially among lower plants and invertebrate animals

parthenogenetic

ˌpär-thə-nō-jə-ˈne-tik 

adjective

or less commonly parthenogenic

ˌpär-thə-nō-ˈje-nik 

parthenogenetically

ˌpär-thə-nō-jə-ˈne-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of parthenogenesis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Suppose a chance mutation in a species granted a random female the ability to reproduce all on her own, through parthenogenesis. — Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

In a press release, Pete Quinlan, an animal care technician at the college, said these virgin births, a form of asexual reproduction known as parthenogenesis, are rare and even less likely to occur in the same reptile twice. — Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026

The zoo said parthenogenesis has only been documented in a handful of reptile species worldwide, making this birth even more remarkable. — Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025

The researchers drew parallels to animals that can reproduce through parthenogenesis, where the female gives birth using unfertilized eggs. — ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek parthenos + Latin genesis genesis

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for parthenogenesis

• angiogenesis
• atherogenesis
• carcinogenesis
• embryogenesis
• gametogenesis
• organogenesis
• osteogenesis
• spermatogenesis
• steroidogenesis
• tumorigenesis
• agenesis
• dysgenesis

Kids Definition

parthenogenesis

noun

par·​the·​no·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpär-thə-nō-ˈje-nə-səs 

: 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 

plural parthenogeneses -ˌsēz 

: reproduction by development of an unfertilized usually female gamete that occurs especially among lower plants and invertebrate animals