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

Chromosome pairs are also essential for meiosis, the specialized type of cell division that produces sperm and eggs. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 July 2026

These darts are covered with a substance that is thought to make their partner more likely to accept the sperm. — Philip Anderson, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

For example, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a specialized form of IVF in which time-lapse images of sperm moving in a petri dish help clinicians select those believed to be most likely to fertilize an egg. — Edna Bonhomme, Scientific American, 6 July 2026

Surrogacy, sperm donation, adoption, and IVF can all require careful planning and the involvement of reproductive and family law counsel. — Morgan Mouchette, Forbes.com, 29 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