ovipositor
noun
ovi·pos·i·tor
ˈō-və-ˌpä-zə-tər 
ˌō-və-ˈpä-
: a specialized organ (as of an insect) for depositing eggs see insect illustration
Examples of ovipositor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Female cicadas can lay up to 600 eggs, inserting them into the branches of trees and shrubs with their ovipositor (egg-laying organ), according to the University of Massachusetts.
—
Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 May 2025
Within reach was the wasp’s sting and its ovipositor – the tube-like appendage used by many insects to lay eggs.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2025
In order to reproduce, female cicadas lay their eggs in small twigs or branches, using body parts called ovipositors to slit open these branches and deposit their eggs inside.
—Lily Carey, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2024
Females lay their eggs After mating, female cicadas use their ovipositor—a spear-like structure—to slice into small trees, shrubs, and even grapevines.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
The female adult lays an egg just below the surface of a leaflet with her sharp ovipositor.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2023
It is used for protection, and also the ovipositor is used for laying eggs.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 24 June 2023
Male wasps lack this defense, because stingers evolved from a female egg-laying organ called an ovipositor.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2022
Depending on the species of dragonfly, females deposit eggs directly into ponds, streams, or other bodies of water, or inject their eggs into plants growing in or near water with an organ called an ovipositor, said Mass Audubon.
—Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022
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Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 May 2025
Within reach was the wasp’s sting and its ovipositor – the tube-like appendage used by many insects to lay eggs.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2025
In order to reproduce, female cicadas lay their eggs in small twigs or branches, using body parts called ovipositors to slit open these branches and deposit their eggs inside.
—Lily Carey, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2024
Females lay their eggs After mating, female cicadas use their ovipositor—a spear-like structure—to slice into small trees, shrubs, and even grapevines.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
The female adult lays an egg just below the surface of a leaflet with her sharp ovipositor.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2023
It is used for protection, and also the ovipositor is used for laying eggs.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 24 June 2023
Male wasps lack this defense, because stingers evolved from a female egg-laying organ called an ovipositor.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2022
Depending on the species of dragonfly, females deposit eggs directly into ponds, streams, or other bodies of water, or inject their eggs into plants growing in or near water with an organ called an ovipositor, said Mass Audubon.
—Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Ovipositor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ovipositor. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ovipositor
noun
ovi·pos·i·tor
ˈō-və-ˌpäz-ət-ər
: a specialized organ (as of an insect) for depositing eggs
Medical Definition
ovipositor
noun
ovi·pos·i·tor
ˈō-və-ˌpäz-ət-ər, ˌō-və-ˈ
: a specialized organ (as of an insect) for depositing eggs
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