plural testes
ˈte-ˌstēz 
: a typically paired male reproductive gland that produces sperm and secretes testosterone and that in most mammals is contained within the scrotum at sexual maturity
Examples of testis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those with two X chromosomes and ovaries lived longest, followed by mice with two X chromosomes and testes.
—
Mohana Ravindranath, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
In papers last year, the researchers showed that microplastics were present in human testes and placentas.
—Nina Agrawal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
As in other birds, each individual typically has either two testes that produce sperm or a single ovary that produces eggs.
—Donna L. Maney, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025
These particles have been found in various bodily organs—including the kidney, liver, placenta and testes—although not at such concentrations as now seen in the brain, the team said.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
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Mohana Ravindranath, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
In papers last year, the researchers showed that microplastics were present in human testes and placentas.
—Nina Agrawal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
As in other birds, each individual typically has either two testes that produce sperm or a single ovary that produces eggs.
—Donna L. Maney, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2025
These particles have been found in various bodily organs—including the kidney, liver, placenta and testes—although not at such concentrations as now seen in the brain, the team said.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for testis
Cite this Entry
“Testis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/testis. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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Medical Definition
testis
noun
tes·tis
ˈtes-təs
plural testes
ˈtes-ˌtēz
: a typically paired male reproductive gland that usually consists largely of seminiferous tubules from the epithelium of which spermatozoa develop, that contains androgen-secreting Leydig cells in the interstitial tissue, that corresponds to the ovary of the female and in craniate vertebrates develops from the genital ridges of the embryo, and that in most mammals descends into the scrotum before the attainment of sexual maturity and in many cases before birth
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