ovary

noun

ova·​ry ˈō-və-rē 

ˈōv-rē

plural ovaries

1

: one of the typically paired essential female reproductive organs that produce eggs and in vertebrates female sex hormones

2

: the enlarged rounded usually basal portion of the pistil or gynoecium of an angiospermous plant that bears the ovules and consists of one or more carpels see flower illustration

Examples of ovary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Declining reproductive hormones Menopause occurs when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone, hormones that help regulate the menstrual cycle. —Akshay Syal, NBC news, 27 Nov. 2025

The faster the ovaries age, the greater the risk of chronic conditions and earlier mortality, Laird says. —Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 21 Nov. 2025

Micronized progesterone is a bioidentical hormone with a molecular structure identical to the endogenous progesterone produced in the ovaries. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 11 Nov. 2025

The ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone, and menstruation becomes irregular. —Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin ovarium, from Latin ovum egg

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ovary

• polycystic ovary syndrome

Kids Definition

ovary

noun

ova·​ry ˈōv-(ə-)rē 

plural ovaries

1

: one of the usually paired organs in the body of female animals that produces eggs and that in female vertebrates also produces sex hormones

2

: the enlarged rounded lower part of the pistil of a flower in which seeds are formed

Medical Definition

ovary

noun

ova·​ry ˈōv-(ə-)rē 

plural ovaries

1

: one of the typically paired essential female reproductive organs that in vertebrates produce eggs and female sex hormones, that occur in the adult human as oval-shaped flattened bodies about one-and-a-half inches (four centimeters) long suspended from the dorsal surface of the broad ligament of either side, that arise from the mesonephros, and that consist of a vascular fibrous stroma enclosing developing egg cells

2

: the female reproductive structure of an angiosperm that bears ovules and is enclosed in a flower