SINCE 1828
ovipositor
noun
ovi·pos·i·tor
| \ ˈō-və-ˌpä-zə-tər
, ˌō-və-ˈpä-\
, ˌō-və-ˈpä-\
Definition of ovipositor
: a specialized organ (as of an insect) for depositing eggs — see insect illustration
Examples of ovipositor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These wasps lay their eggs inside their host using organs known as ovipositors, which are shaped like tubes. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Fossils Show Ancient Horrifying Xenomorph-Style Insects," 29 Aug. 2018 Parasitoid wasps like the Clistopyga crassicaudata typically have a long ovipositor to lay eggs that is also used as a stinger. — Laura Yan, Popular Mechanics, "Newly Discovered Wasp Has a Terrifyingly Large Stinger," 8 July 2018 Research already demonstrates that the differences in ovipositor length and body size in the yucca moths’ genomes are more pronounced, suggesting that natural selection has driven the discrepancy. — Sam Schipani, Smithsonian, "How a Tree and Its Moth Shaped the Mojave Desert," 10 Aug. 2017 In turn, the moth lays her eggs with its thin, blade-like ovipositor on the flowers’ seeds. — Sam Schipani, Smithsonian, "How a Tree and Its Moth Shaped the Mojave Desert," 10 Aug. 2017 When the styles are too short, the moths can damage the flowers with their ovipositor. — Sam Schipani, Smithsonian, "How a Tree and Its Moth Shaped the Mojave Desert," 10 Aug. 2017 Stinger and ovipositors are now separate in all insects except parasitic wasps, which often inject their eggs into a host with just a splash of paralyzing venom. — National Geographic, "The Worst Places to be Stung? Ask This Guy," 5 June 2016 Once the plant surface is covered, insects have a really difficult time inserting either their mouthparts or ovipositors into the plants to do damage. — Sally Mccabe, Philly.com, "June 16-22: In the garden, it's time to…," 16 June 2017 Stingers evolved from ovipositors, the tubes through which eggs are laid, which are, of course, found only in females. — National Geographic, "The Worst Places to be Stung? Ask This Guy," 5 June 2016These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ovipositor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for ovipositor
ovipositor
noun
ovi·pos·i·tor
| \ ˈō-və-ˌpäz-ət-ər, ˌō-və-ˈ
\
\
Medical Definition of ovipositor
: a specialized organ (as of an insect) for depositing eggs
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