oviparous

adjective

ovip·​a·​rous ō-ˈvi-p(ə-)rəs 

: producing eggs that develop and hatch outside the maternal body

also : involving the production of such eggs

Examples of oviparous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All birds are oviparous, but some reptiles are viviparous, or give birth to live young. —USA TODAY, 30 May 2023

Birds and the various crocodilians (crocodiles, alligators, caimans, etc.) are the only archosaurs still wandering about, and all are oviparous. —Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Latin oviparus, from ov- + -parus -parous

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oviparous

• viviparous

Kids Definition

oviparous

adjective

ovip·​a·​rous ō-ˈvip-(ə-)rəs 

: producing eggs that develop and hatch outside the body of the female

Medical Definition

oviparous

adjective

ovip·​a·​rous ō-ˈvip-(ə-)rəs 

: producing eggs that develop and hatch outside the maternal body

also : involving the production of such eggs compare larviparous, ovoviviparous, viviparous

oviparousness noun