cryopreservation

noun

cryo·​pres·​er·​va·​tion ˌkrī-ō-ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce cryopreservation (audio)
: preservation (as of cells) by subjection to extremely low temperatures
cryopreserve
ˌkrī-ō-pri-ˈzərv How to pronounce cryopreservation (audio)
ˈkrī-ō-pri-ˌzərv
transitive verb

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The foundation focuses on advocacy, education, and lobbying, and also emphasizes the importance of cryonics and organ cryopreservation. Alex Zhavoronkov, Forbes, 20 Apr. 2023 Included in that price is: anesthesia during the egg retrieval, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, assisted hatching, cryopreservation, one year of storage, and a fresh transfer—all services, minus fresh transfer, that typically incur additional fees on top of that $12,400. Jordan Davidson, Health.com, 25 May 2021 John Caniglia reports that Dr. Andrew Bhatnager wrote in an affidavit that employees failed to properly maintain the cryopreservation tank where the eggs and embryos were stored. Cameron Fields, cleveland, 5 Apr. 2021 The waiting list for Tomorrow Biostasis, a cryopreservation startup based in Germany, is in the hundreds. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 7 Feb. 2023 In Lima, the focus is cryopreservation — preserving the DNA of a species in case it’s wiped out, possibly by a doomsday situation — specifically of potatoes. Lia Beck, refinery29.com, 13 July 2020 Liquid nitrogen is the main ingredient used to ensure cryopreservation. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 7 Feb. 2023 Male fertility preservation is straightforward and immediate: Sperm donation and subsequent freezing, called cryopreservation, has been a widespread practice since the 1970s. Katherine Kornei, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2016 Ryder says that cryopreservation may actually change the way humanity thinks about conservation. Katharine Gammon, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2019 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cryopreservation.' 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

cryo- + preservation

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cryopreservation was in 1965

Dictionary Entries Near cryopreservation

Cite this Entry

“Cryopreservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cryopreservation. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

Medical Definition

cryopreservation

noun
cryo·​pres·​er·​va·​tion -ˌprez-ər-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce cryopreservation (audio)
: preservation (as of sperm or eggs) by subjection to extremely low temperatures
cryopreserve transitive verb
cryopreserved; cryopreserving
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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