zygote

noun

zy·​gote ˈzī-ˌgōt How to pronounce zygote (audio)
: a cell formed by the union of two gametes
broadly : the developing individual produced from such a cell
zygotic adjective

Examples of zygote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Cell mitosis takes place over three to five days, as your zygote makes its way through your fallopian tube. ​wendy Wisner, Parents, 18 Nov. 2023 Scientists say that a single zooid (formed from a single fertilized zygote) starts the development of a siphonophore colony through the process of budding. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2023 The zygote then divides, eventually forming an organism with mostly the same genetic material throughout its body. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023 That means both embryos come from the same fertilized egg, or zygote. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2021 Each zygote's growth is optimized and their every need tended to by the pod; parents can even choose to feed them or soothe them remotely from an app, like Tamagotchis. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 20 Jan. 2023 Typically during reproduction, two gametes — cells with half the number of original chromosomes — come together to create a zygote, with a full suite of genes. Oliver Whang, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2022 Then the zygote splits, creating two highly similar individuals with the same set of genetic instructions called the genome. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2021 What actually happens when that sperm and ovum get together to make a zygote? Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2012 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zygote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Greek zygōtos yoked, from zygoun to join — more at zygoma

First Known Use

circa 1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zygote was circa 1887

Cite this Entry

“Zygote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zygote. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

zygote

noun
zy·​gote ˈzī-ˌgōt How to pronounce zygote (audio)
: a cell formed by the union of two sex cells
also : the developing individual produced from such a cell
zygotic adjective

Medical Definition

zygote

noun
zy·​gote ˈzī-ˌgōt How to pronounce zygote (audio)
: a cell formed by the union of two gametes
broadly : the developing individual produced from such a cell

More from Merriam-Webster on zygote

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