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

An ovarian tumor or abnormal hormone production by the ovaries can also trigger symptom onset.6 Emergency Symptoms Because virilization can occur as a symptom of an adrenal tumor, symptoms should not be ignored. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024

Many abided in the ovaries for most of the rodents’ lives. —science.org, 3 July 2024

Entertainment & Arts Olivia Munn has two viable embryos after hysterectomy and removal of ovaries May 13, 2024 Kettmann, from the Sacramento area, said their surrogate is 22 weeks pregnant. —Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2024

Although half the world's population is female, little is known about how and why ovaries age faster than the body's other tissues, and the other roles ovaries play in human health. —Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 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