ovulation

noun

ovu·​la·​tion ˌä vyə-ˈlā-shən  ˌō- 

: the discharge of a mature ovum from the ovary

Doctors have found that a few days before ovulation, as many as 30 to 50 egg follicles have begun to mature. Normally, only one will fully ripen … and the rest are lost.

—Mary Duenwald

In principle, ovulation takes place midway through a 28-day … cycle.

—Judith N. Schwartz

Examples of ovulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There, in the first of two trips, Emilie underwent ovulation stimulation and egg retrieval. — Lj Dawson, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026

Fraternal triplets can occur when a mother produces and releases three eggs at ovulation and all three eggs are fertilized by sperm, according to the Cleveland Clinic. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026

And indeed, there are now countless wearables to track your vital bodily data — from your heart rate and daily steps to your ovulation and hormone levels. — Andréa Becker, STAT, 14 Aug. 2026

An algorithm can weigh previous cycles, illness, and a user's history on hormonal contraception, then separate a genuine ovulation signal from noise. — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

ovule or its source, Medieval Latin ōvulum + -ation

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ovulation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Medical Definition

ovulation

noun

ovu·​la·​tion ˌäv-yə-ˈlā-shən 

also

ˌōv- 

: the discharge of a mature ovum from the ovary

The persistent high level of estrogen induces an abrupt release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland, and this hormonal surge then triggers ovulation.

—Hsiu-Wei Su et al., Bioengineering & Translational Medicine