ovary

noun

ova·​ry ˈō-və-rē 

ˈōv-rē

plural ovaries

1

: one of the typically paired essential female reproductive organs that produce eggs and in vertebrates female sex hormones

2

: the enlarged rounded usually basal portion of the pistil or gynoecium of an angiospermous plant that bears the ovules and consists of one or more carpels see flower illustration

Examples of ovary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tapir calf hanging out with mom 'Ubi and dad 'Albert' Rare snake with two heads undergoes surgery to remove ovaries. —USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024

For example, in ovarian cancer, surgery often includes removing the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the uterus, along with any visible cancer tissue in the rest of the belly. —Alexander Olawaiye, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2024

Perimenopausal Symptoms By their mid-40s, some people with ovaries will begin to have perimenopausal symptoms. —Madeleine Burry, Health, 28 Feb. 2024

Women on the pill also have fewer structures in their ovaries that can mature into viable eggs. —Kayla Bartsch, National Review, 28 Jan. 2024

Before the placenta starts forming around 12 weeks, the ovary that released the egg provides the main source of hormonal support to the pregnancy. —Krissi Danielsson, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024

Now they’re done hiding menopause Jan. 5, 2024 According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the amount of estrogen produced by the ovaries begins to fluctuate in a woman’s 30s and 40s. —Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024

And there is some evidence that precocious puberty correlates with higher rates of polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal condition that can cause period irregularity and cysts to grow outside one’s ovaries. —Alexa Lee, STAT, 7 Mar. 2024

Echols said Wednesday that UAB's Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility continues to offer egg retrieval, the process of collecting eggs from one or both ovaries. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 21 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin ovarium, from Latin ovum egg

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ovary

• polycystic ovary syndrome

Kids Definition

ovary

noun

ova·​ry ˈōv-(ə-)rē 

plural ovaries

1

: one of the usually paired organs in the body of female animals that produces eggs and that in female vertebrates also produces sex hormones

2

: the enlarged rounded lower part of the pistil of a flower in which seeds are formed

Medical Definition

ovary

noun

ova·​ry ˈōv-(ə-)rē 

plural ovaries

1

: one of the typically paired essential female reproductive organs that produce eggs and in vertebrates female sex hormones, that occur in the adult human as oval flattened bodies about one and a half inches (four centimeters) long suspended from the dorsal surface of the broad ligament of either side, that arise from the mesonephros, and that consist of a vascular fibrous stroma enclosing developing egg cells

2

: the female reproductive structure of an angiosperm that bears ovules and is enclosed in a flower