plural ova ˈō-və How to pronounce ovum (audio)
: a female gamete : macrogamete

called also egg cell

Examples of ovum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kate Mara Before welcoming her daughter in 2019, Fantastic Four and House of Cards actress Kate Mara experienced a miscarriage known as a blighted ovum. Mia Taylor, Parents, 16 Oct. 2024 This cap contains enzymes that help the sperm enter the ovum (egg). Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024 The ovum carries an X chromosome, while sperm cells can carry either an X or a Y chromosome. Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024 If a sperm cell carrying an X chromosome fertilizes the ovum, the fetus will be genetically female. Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2024 The most common places for an ectopic pregnancy are along the path the ovum (egg) travels, meaning from the ovary, through the fallopian tube (which carries the ovum from the ovary to the uterus) and the uterus, and even its opening, the cervix. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 6 May 2022 One of the two missing eggs is known as the Cherub with Chariot, which depicts a chubby baby angel pulling an ovum on a carriage. Stu Woo and Aruna Viswanatha, WSJ, 7 Dec. 2022 The menstrual cycle is usually 28 days and is divided in half by ovulation on day 14, as the ovum is released from the ovary. Jason Karp, Outside Online, 14 Mar. 2014 Afterward, odds are fair that an ovum of the bottom lizard will set out on its parthenogenic way. Rebecca Coffey, Forbes, 8 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, egg — more at egg entry 1

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ovum was in 1672

Dictionary Entries Near ovum

Cite this Entry

“Ovum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ovum. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ovum

noun
plural ova -və How to pronounce ovum (audio)

Medical Definition

ovum

noun
plural ova -və How to pronounce ovum (audio)
: a female gamete : macrogamete
especially : a mature egg that has undergone reduction, is ready for fertilization, and takes the form of a relatively large inactive gamete providing a comparatively great amount of reserve material and contributing most of the cytoplasm of the zygote

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