SPERMATOZOON (spermatozoa)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected form: spermatozoa   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does spermatozoon mean? 

• SPERMATOZOON (noun)
  The noun SPERMATOZOON has 1 sense:

1. the male reproductive cell; the male gamete

  Familiarity information: SPERMATOZOON used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPERMATOZOON (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The male reproductive cell; the male gamete

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

sperm; sperm cell; spermatozoan; spermatozoon

Context example:

a sperm is mostly a nucleus surrounded by little other cellular material

Hypernyms ("spermatozoon" is a kind of...):

gamete (a mature sexual reproductive cell having a single set of unpaired chromosomes)

Meronyms (parts of "spermatozoon"):

flagellum (a lash-like appendage used for locomotion (e.g., in sperm cells and some bacteria and protozoa))

acrosome (a process at the anterior end of a sperm cell that produces enzymes to facilitate penetration of the egg)

Holonyms ("spermatozoon" is a part of...):

come; cum; ejaculate; seed; semen; seminal fluid (the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract)

male reproductive system (the reproductive system of males)

 Context examples 

Specific receptors are found on spermatozoa and in the prostate.

(Beta-Microseminoprotein, NCI Thesaurus)

The copper-bearing device has an independent toxic effect on spermatozoa.

(Intrauterine device, NCI Thesaurus)

The anterior, usually ovoid, nucleus-containing part of spermatozoa.

(Head of the Spermatozoon, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

The state or condition of having a developing embryo or fetus in the body (outside the uterus), after union of an ovum and spermatozoon, during the period from conception to birth.

(Ectopic Pregnancy, Food and Drug Administration)

Fertilization of an ovum by a spermatozoon resulting in formation of a viable zygote.

(Conception, NCI Thesaurus)

It includes abnormal movements of the cilia in the nose and paranasal sinuses, the respiratory tract and spermatozoa.

(Ciliary Motility Defect, NCI Thesaurus)

Duct carrying spermatozoa.

(Murine Vas Deferens, NCI Thesaurus)

This sterile inflammatory process is toxic to gametes, primarily spermatozoa, and effectively prevents viable sperm from passing into the fallopian tubes.

(Intrauterine device, NCI Thesaurus)