sperm

1 of 2

noun

plural sperm or sperms
1
a
: semen
b
: a male gamete
especially : spermatozoon sense 1
2
: a product of the sperm whale

sperm-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or spermo- or sperma- or spermi-
: seed : germ : sperm
spermatheca
spermicide

Examples of sperm in a Sentence

Noun The sperm fertilizes the egg.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Once edited to have mammoth-like genetic traits, the elephant’s cells could be used to make eggs and sperm and an embryo that could be implanted into some kind of artificial womb. Katie Hunt, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 Kent has been open about conceiving a second baby via intrauterine insemination (IUI) — a treatment where sperm is surgically placed in a uterus to fertilize an egg. Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 The shift has been from worrying about the technique, in itself, to worrying about who’s using it: gay couples using it, lesbian couples using it, single people using it with egg or sperm donation. Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The evidence obtained was provided to German investigators, who used DNA trace analysis on several skin and sperm samples obtained from the crime scene in 1978. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2024 From reading the decision, there was no distinguishing factor made over an embryo or a frozen egg or frozen sperm, meaning the two pieces of the puzzle that come together to create the embryo. Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 Queens can mate with multiple males and store their sperm, continually laying eggs that reflect the diversity of more than one paternal line. Popular Science, 29 Feb. 2024 In the realm of forensics, investigators occasionally come upon a crime scene with DNA evidence, such as blood or sperm, but no specific suspects. Eric Levenson, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 The eggs are then retrieved with a small needle and fertilized with sperm in a lab to form embryos. Brian Barrett, WIRED, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sperm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Middle French esperme, sperme, from Late Latin spermat-, sperma, from Greek, literally, seed, from speirein to sow; probably akin to Armenian p'aratem I dispense

Combining form

Greek sperm-, spermo-, from sperma

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sperm was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near sperm

Cite this Entry

“Sperm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sperm. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sperm

noun
plural sperm or sperms
1
: semen
2
: a mobile male gamete that has a long and thin or rounded head and a long thin tail that acts as a flagellum

called also spermatozoon, sperm cell

Medical Definition

sperm

noun
plural sperm or sperms
1
: the male impregnating fluid : semen
2
: a male gamete
especially : spermatozoon

More from Merriam-Webster on sperm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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