ovulation

noun

ovu·​la·​tion ˌä vyə-ˈlā-shən  ˌō- 

: the discharge of a mature ovum from the ovary

Doctors have found that a few days before ovulation, as many as 30 to 50 egg follicles have begun to mature. Normally, only one will fully ripen … and the rest are lost.

—Mary Duenwald

In principle, ovulation takes place midway through a 28-day … cycle.

—Judith N. Schwartz

Examples of ovulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stress can influence hormone regulation, libido and ovulation. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025

Apple Smartwatch Deals The latest in Apple's budget smartwatch lineup, the Apple Watch 3 SE now offers advanced features including an always-on display, on-device Siri processing, ovulation estimates, sleep apnea detection, and wrist temperature sensing — while still keeping the price low. —PC Magazine, 2 Dec. 2025

Laird points to the possibility that long-term ovulation suppression could be a tool to delay menopause. —Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 21 Nov. 2025

On top of the impressive 18-hour battery life, the device monitors your sleep, heart rate, ovulation, and stress levels. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

ovule or its source, Medieval Latin ōvulum + -ation

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ovulation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Medical Definition

ovulation

noun

ovu·​la·​tion ˌäv-yə-ˈlā-shən 

also

ˌōv- 

: the discharge of a mature ovum from the ovary

The persistent high level of estrogen induces an abrupt release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland, and this hormonal surge then triggers ovulation.

—Hsiu-Wei Su et al., Bioengineering & Translational Medicine