ovulation

noun

ovu·​la·​tion ˌä vyə-ˈlā-shən  ˌō- 

: the discharge of a mature ovum from the ovary

Doctors have found that a few days before ovulation, as many as 30 to 50 egg follicles have begun to mature. Normally, only one will fully ripen … and the rest are lost.

—Mary Duenwald

In principle, ovulation takes place midway through a 28-day … cycle.

—Judith N. Schwartz

Examples of ovulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The ovaries release hormones that affect ovulation and menstruation. —Andrea L. Braden, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025

The hormones suppress ovulation and thicken the mucus lining of the cervix, impeding sperm from reaching any egg that is released. —Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2024

This complex movement must also occur when the female is fertile during ovulation (release of a mature egg from the ovary). —Matthew Wosnitzer, Verywell Health, 2 Jan. 2025

Hormone levels, including estradiol, peak around ovulation, Dr. Choi says. —Lauren Mazzo, SELF, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

ovule or its source, Medieval Latin ōvulum + -ation

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ovulation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Medical Definition

ovulation

noun

ovu·​la·​tion ˌäv-yə-ˈlā-shən 

also

ˌōv- 

: the discharge of a mature ovum from the ovary

The persistent high level of estrogen induces an abrupt release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland, and this hormonal surge then triggers ovulation.

—Hsiu-Wei Su et al., Bioengineering & Translational Medicine