SINCE 1828

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spermatozoon

noun sper·ma·to·zo·on \ (ˌ)spər-ˌma-tə-ˈzō-ˌän , -ˈzō-ən , ˌspər-mə-tə- \

Definition of spermatozoon

plural spermatozoa play \(ˌ)spər-ˌma-tə-ˈzō-ə, ˌspər-mə-tə-\

1 :a motile male gamete of an animal usually with rounded or elongate head and a long posterior flagellum

2 :spermatozoid

—

spermatozoal

play \(ˌ)spər-ˌma-tə-ˈzō-əl, ˌspər-mə-tə-\ adjective

See spermatozoon defined for English-language learners

See spermatozoon defined for kids

Recent Examples of spermatozoon from the Web

After extracting spermatozoa from several mice, the team freeze-dried the cells and sent them to the International Space Station in August 2013.

— National Geographic, "Space Sperm Produces Healthy Baby Mice," 22 May 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of spermatozoon

New Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1839

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

spermatozoon

noun sper·ma·to·zo·on \ -ˈzō-ˌän, -ˈzō-ən \

medical Definition of spermatozoon

plural spermatozoa play \-ˈzō-ə\

:a motile male gamete of an animal usually with rounded or elongate head and a long posterior flagellum

Illustration of spermatozoon

Learn More about spermatozoon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spermatozoon

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