gonad

noun

go·​nad ˈgō-ˌnad How to pronounce gonad (audio)
: a reproductive gland (such as an ovary or testis) that produces gametes
gonadal adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Prior studies by Dhillo of healthy men with no libido problems found giving them kisspeptin boosted levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone, which is important for gonad function. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 11 Apr. 2023 If your level is low enough to warrant more aggressive treatment, your doctor can prescribe a drug that causes your pituitary to tell your gonads to make more testosterone. Kevin Dupzyk, Men's Health, 24 Feb. 2023 Seventy days later, Dykman dissected the pink snail and found the worms alive and well in the snail’s gonad. Sabrina Imbler, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2021 And most purple urchins aren’t marketable because their only edible parts, their gonads, are considered too small. Maurice Roper, National Geographic, 30 Apr. 2020 The signal is read by cells that go on to form the animal's gonads, which go on to produce hormones that direct the turtle's development. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 17 Apr. 2020 But the urchins living in barren environments have little to eat so their insides, including their prized golden gonads, are shriveled and commercially worthless. Smithsonian, 21 Sep. 2019 The one positive is that purple urchins have fleshy gonads known to sushi lovers as uni. Peter Fimrite, SFChronicle.com, 22 Oct. 2019 The body and brain swap information via the chemicals released by endocrine organs like the thyroid and gonads, as well as parts of the immune system. Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, 23 Sep. 2019 See More

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

New Latin gonad-, gonas, from Greek gonos

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gonad was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near gonad

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

gonad

noun
go·​nad ˈgō-ˌnad How to pronounce gonad (audio)
: a sperm- or egg-producing gland (as a testis or ovary)

called also sex gland

Medical Definition

gonad

noun
go·​nad ˈgō-ˌnad How to pronounce gonad (audio)
: a gamete-producing reproductive gland (as an ovary or testis)
gonadal adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on gonad

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