sperm

1 of 2

noun

ˈspərm 

plural sperm or sperms

1

a

: semen

b

: a male gamete

especially : spermatozoon sense 1

2

: a product of the sperm whale

sperm-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or spermo- or sperma- or spermi-

: seed : germ : sperm

spermatheca

spermicide

Examples of sperm in a Sentence

Noun

The sperm fertilizes the egg.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Studies show pesticides are also associated with lower sperm concentrations, heart disease, cancer and an increase in genetic damage in humans. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

Recently, a woman named Emily Webb went viral for her donor draft for this once in a lifetime party which featured a Nacho Daddy Bar, a sperm cake, and incorporated input from her family and friends in drafting her donor number one pick. —Angela Hatem, Parents, 9 June 2026

Retrieval, which premieres at the Tribeca Festival on Thursday, June 4, examines the use of postmortem sperm retrieval, or PMSR. —Brian Brant, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026

The sperm was banked after Epstein's conviction, which raises murky ethics issues in the fertility industry. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Middle French esperme, sperme, from Late Latin spermat-, sperma, from Greek, literally, seed, from speirein to sow; probably akin to Armenian p'aratem I dispense

Combining form

Greek sperm-, spermo-, from sperma

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sperm

• sperm bank
• sperm cell
• sperm count
• sperm donor
• sperm nucleus
• sperm oil
• sperm whale

Rhymes for sperm

• berm
• ferm
• firm
• germ
• herm
• squirm
• term
• therm
• worm
• wurm
• affirm
• bookworm

Kids Definition

sperm

noun

ˈspərm 

plural sperm or sperms

1

: semen

2

: a mobile male gamete that has a long and thin or rounded head and a long thin tail that acts as a flagellum

called also spermatozoon, sperm cell

Medical Definition

sperm

noun

ˈspərm 

plural sperm or sperms

1

: the male impregnating fluid : semen

2

: a male gamete

especially : spermatozoon