semen

noun se·men \ ˈsē-mən \

|Updated on: 15 Jul 2018

: a viscid whitish fluid of the male reproductive tract consisting of spermatozoa suspended in secretions of accessory glands (as of the prostate and Cowper's glands)

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Recent Examples of semen from the Web

Investigators linked DeAngelo to the killings by plugging DNA collected from a semen sample at one of the crime scenes into a genealogical website.

— kathleen ronayne, Fox News, "Records: DNA from tissue led to Golden State Killer arrest," 1 June 2018
That's where Clark would attempt to inseminate Y.L. with Castellanos' semen three to four times a day during Y.L.'s ovulation periods over the next nine months.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "She smuggled a woman into the U.S. to have a baby. Now, she'll do time for slavery," 5 June 2018
The study complements previous research that has looked at sperm and semen quality and stress.

— ariana eunjung cha, chicagotribune.com, "Depression in men may lower chances for pregnancy, NIH study suggests," 17 May 2018
The lawmakers argue that those procedures, which include stimulating Billy’s prostate in an effort to collect his semen, are invasive.

— dakota smith, latimes.com, "Two City Council members renew push to remove Billy the elephant from L.A. Zoo," 25 Jan. 2018
In August 2017, investigators matched Galvan's DNA with a semen stain found on the robe Reiding wore at the time of her death, KXAN reported.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "Her husband found her strangled in their bed. 39 years later, the killer is arrested, Texas cops say | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 25 May 2018
The prostate is a gland near the bladder that produces prostate fluid, one of the main elements of semen.

— gigi engle, Teen Vogue, "Anal Sex: What You Need to Know," 16 May 2018
Police got a warrant for Edwards' DNA, which matched a profile developed from a semen stain on Drew’s yellow pants.

— jsonline.com, "CHAPTER 8: "I'LL SEE HER IN HEAVEN"," 18 Oct. 2017
There was semen on the bedspread and the sheets - but police didn't match it to anyone until March 2005.

— keri blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Execution dates set for two convicted killers from Tarrant County," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'semen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of semen

Middle English, from Latin, seed, semen; akin to Old High German sāmo seed, Latin serere to sow — more at sow

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First Known Use: 14th century

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SEMEN Defined for English Language Learners

semen

noun

: the sticky, whitish liquid containing sperm that is produced by a male's sex organs

Medical Dictionary

semen

noun se·men \ ˈsē-mən \

: a viscid whitish fluid of the male reproductive tract consisting of spermatozoa suspended in secretions of accessory glands (as of the prostate and Cowper's glands)