acrosome

noun

ac·​ro·​some ˈa-krə-ˌsōm 

: an anterior prolongation of a spermatozoon that releases egg-penetrating enzymes

acrosomal

ˌa-krə-ˈsō-məl 

adjective

Examples of acrosome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Next, the acrosome, a vesicle inside the sperm cell’s head, fuses with the outer layer of the egg, igniting the release of enzymes that ease the route inside. — Randi Hutter Epstein, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020

This study will also be the closest off-planet look at the acrosome, which develops inside the head and acts like an organ. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, 16 July 2018

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Akrosoma, from akro- acro- + -soma -some entry 3

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for acrosome

• aerodrome
• catacomb
• centrosome
• chromosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• honeycomb
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome
• monochrome

Medical Definition

acrosome

noun

ac·​ro·​some ˈak-rə-ˌsōm 

: an anterior prolongation of a spermatozoon that releases egg-penetrating enzymes

acrosomal

ˌak-rə-ˈsō-məl 

adjective