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

Her Favorite In-Office Treatments The viral salmon sperm facial has made its way onto the actress’s famous face. —Elise Tabin, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026

And yes, the viral facial using salmon sperm is her ticket to a youthful glow. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026

If 2025 can be characterized as the year of natural looking facelifts and salmon sperm, what does 2026 hold in terms of facial plastic surgery and aesthetics? —Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 6 Jan. 2026

The ruling, in a Hillsborough County case, stemmed from Angel Rivera providing sperm to Ashley Brito and Jennifer Salas, with Brito then using an at-home kit to become pregnant. —Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 31 Dec. 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