parthenogenesis
noun
par·the·no·gen·e·sis
ˌpär-thə-nō-ˈje-nə-səs 
: reproduction by development of an unfertilized usually female gamete that occurs especially among lower plants and invertebrate animals
Examples of parthenogenesis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The zoo said parthenogenesis has only been documented in a handful of reptile species worldwide, making this birth even more remarkable.
—
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
According to Telford’s Exotic Zoo, the babies were born without a dad thanks to a process called parthenogenesis.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
The researchers drew parallels to animals that can reproduce through parthenogenesis, where the female gives birth using unfertilized eggs.
—ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025
Read more Animals Dinosaurs: Groundbreaking Revelation Settles 30-Year-Old Debate
Specialized Dog Breeds Are Not So Special After All
Sharks are not the only species known to undergo parthenogenesis; the phenomenon has also been recorded in species of bird, fish, lizard and snake.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parthenogenesis
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Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
According to Telford’s Exotic Zoo, the babies were born without a dad thanks to a process called parthenogenesis.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
The researchers drew parallels to animals that can reproduce through parthenogenesis, where the female gives birth using unfertilized eggs.
—ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025
Read more Animals Dinosaurs: Groundbreaking Revelation Settles 30-Year-Old Debate
Specialized Dog Breeds Are Not So Special After All
Sharks are not the only species known to undergo parthenogenesis; the phenomenon has also been recorded in species of bird, fish, lizard and snake.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parthenogenesis
Cite this Entry
“Parthenogenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parthenogenesis. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
parthenogenesis
noun
par·the·no·gen·e·sis
ˌpär-thə-nō-ˈje-nə-səs
: reproduction especially among lower plants and invertebrates in which a germ cell that has not undergone fertilization develops into a new individual
Medical Definition
parthenogenesis
noun
par·the·no·gen·e·sis
ˌpär-thə-nō-ˈjen-ə-səs
plural parthenogeneses
-ˌsēz
: reproduction by development of an unfertilized usually female gamete that occurs especially among lower plants and invertebrate animals
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