epididymis
noun
ep·i·did·y·mis
ˌe-pə-ˈdi-də-məs 
plural epididymides
ˌe-pə-ˈdi-də-mə-ˌdēz
: a system of ductules emerging posteriorly from the testis that holds sperm during maturation and that forms a tangled mass before uniting into a single coiled duct which is continuous with the vas deferens
Examples of epididymis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In that April 2025 study, researchers from Germany, Uruguay and Chile observed that Toxoplasma can reach the testes and epididymis, the tube where sperm mature and are stored, two days after infection in mice.
—
Bill Sullivan, The Conversation, 28 May 2025
Sperm travel from the epididymis to the vas deferens.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024
Other highlights include an artificial heart from 1981, tables crafted from human tissue, and a boar’s epididymis (a tube that stores and transports sperm).
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2023
In most cases, surgery can be performed to either reverse these blockages or to retrieve sperm directly from the epididymis and testicles.
—Jennifer Gerson, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2018
Ms Chan therefore concentrated her attentions on part of the male genital tract called the epididymis.
—The Economist, 22 Feb. 2018
Very few are actually released into the epididymis.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 11 Oct. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bill Sullivan, The Conversation, 28 May 2025
Sperm travel from the epididymis to the vas deferens.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024
Other highlights include an artificial heart from 1981, tables crafted from human tissue, and a boar’s epididymis (a tube that stores and transports sperm).
—Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2023
In most cases, surgery can be performed to either reverse these blockages or to retrieve sperm directly from the epididymis and testicles.
—Jennifer Gerson, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2018
Ms Chan therefore concentrated her attentions on part of the male genital tract called the epididymis.
—The Economist, 22 Feb. 2018
Very few are actually released into the epididymis.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 11 Oct. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Epididymis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epididymis. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
epididymis
noun
ep·i·did·y·mis
ˌep-ə-ˈdid-ə-məs
plural epididymides
-mə-ˌdēz
: a mass at the back of the testis composed of coiled tubes in which sperms are stored
Medical Definition
epididymis
noun
ep·i·did·y·mis
ˌep-ə-ˈdid-ə-məs
plural epididymides
-mə-ˌdēz
: a system of ductules that emerges posteriorly from the testis, holds sperm during maturation, and forms a tangled mass before uniting into a single coiled duct which comprises the highly convoluted body and tail of the system and is continuous with the vas deferens see vasa efferentia
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share