spermatozoon

[ spur-mat-uh-zoh-uh n, -on, spur-muh-tuh- ]
/ spɜrˌmæt əˈzoʊ ən, -ɒn, ˌspɜr mə tə- /

noun, plural sper·mat·o·zo·a [spur-mat-uh-zoh-uh, spur-muh-tuh-] /spɜrˌmæt əˈzoʊ ə, ˌspɜr mə tə-/. Cell Biology.

one of the minute, usually actively motile gametes in semen, which serve to fertilize the ovum; a mature male reproductive cell.

Origin of spermatozoon

From New Latin, dating back to 1830–40; see origin at spermato-, -zoon

OTHER WORDS FROM spermatozoon

sper·mat·o·zo·al, sper·mat·o·zo·an, sper·mat·o·zo·ic, adjective

Words nearby spermatozoon

spermatorrhea, spermatorrhoea, spermatotoxic, spermatotoxin, spermatozoid, spermatozoon, spermaturia, spermi-, spermic, spermicide, spermidine

British Dictionary definitions for spermatozoon

spermatozoon
/ (ˌspɜːmətəʊˈzəʊɒn) /

noun plural -zoa (-ˈzəʊə)

any of the male reproductive cells released in the semen during ejaculation, consisting of a flattened egg-shaped head, a long neck, and a whiplike tail by which it moves to fertilize the female ovum Also called: sperm, zoosperm

Derived forms of spermatozoon

spermatozoal, spermatozoan or spermatozoic, adjective

Medical definitions for spermatozoon

spermatozoon
[ spər-măt′ə-zō′ŏn′, -ən, spûr′mə-tə- ]

n. pl. sper•mat•o•zo•a (-zō′ə)

The mature male gamete or sex cell that consists of a cylindrical nucleated cell with a short neck and a thin motile tail, contains genetic information to be transmitted by the male, exhibits autokinesia, and is able to effect zygosis with an ovum; sperm.

Other words from spermatozoon

sper•mat′o•zo′al (-zō′əl) null null adj.

Scientific definitions for spermatozoon

spermatozoon
[ spər-măt′ə-zō′ŏn′ ]

Plural spermatozoa

A sperm cell produced in the testis of an animal.