ovary

noun

ova·​ry ˈō-və-rē How to pronounce ovary (audio)
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
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.
Cigarette smoking, immune system disorders, rigorous exercise, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, and surgical removal of the ovaries can all cause vaginal dryness. Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 21 Mar. 2025 Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the ovaries. Julie Scott, Msn, Anp-Bc, Aocnp, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2025 Munn froze her eggs for the third time at 42 years old following her breast cancer diagnosis and underwent an oophorectomy and hysterectomy, which removed her uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, during cancer treatment. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025 Cancer that develops in the ovaries (the egg-producing reproductive organs) is referred to as ovarian cancer. Julie Scott, Msn, Anp-Bc, Aocnp, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ovary

Word History

Etymology

New Latin ovarium, from Latin ovum egg

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ovary was in 1658

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Cite this Entry

“Ovary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ovary. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

ovary

noun
ova·​ry ˈōv-(ə-)rē How to pronounce ovary (audio)
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 How to pronounce ovary (audio)
plural ovaries
1
: one of the typically paired essential female reproductive organs that produce eggs and in vertebrates female sex hormones, that occur in the adult human as oval 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

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