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

Bakshi says that thus far participants in the Phase 2 trial, taking place in New Zealand, have shown steady sperm decline and that no safety issues have emerged. —Ana Castelain, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026

More women in their late 30s and 40s aren’t just choosing to become first-time mothers—some of them are also entering motherhood on their own, through IVF or donor sperm. —Akilah Siti Easter, Parents, 23 Jan. 2026

The husband and wife, who began pursuing IVF treatment with the clinic in March 2025, claimed the woman believed the embryo included her egg and her husband's sperm. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026

Researchers can also check for sperm when tagging male sharks. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 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