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

For instance, scientists recently used AlphaFold to help discover a previously unknown protein complex that is essential for allowing sperm to fertilize an egg. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025

Brands are betting on buzzy ingredients such as DNA extracted from salmon or trout sperm that early research suggests may help calm or repair skin. —Luke Fountain, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2025

New variation emerges from reshuffling segments of DNA in sperm and egg cells, and from copying errors known as mutations. —F.d. Flam, Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2025

The brightening Medicube Salmon DNA PDRN Pink Collagen Jelly Gel Mask is another favorite currently on Amazon Black Friday sale for 38% off, and contains the viral salmon sperm PDRN serum that evens out tone and texture. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 25 Nov. 2025

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