sperm
noun
\ ˈspərm
\
\
plural sperm
or sperms
Definition of sperm
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: semen
2
: a product of the sperm whale
sperm-
combining form
variants:
or spermo-
or sperma-
or spermi-
Definition of sperm- (Entry 2 of 2)
: seed : germ : sperm
spermatheca spermicide
Examples of sperm in a Sentence
Noun
The sperm fertilizes the egg.Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Investigators found semen and sperm on massage tables, towels, blankets, doors, and walls, the records showed. — Jeremy C. Fox, BostonGlobe.com, "Quincy woman sentenced to 5 years for sex trafficking," 4 Sep. 2019 Once the doctor cuts the vas deferens, sperm is unable to leave the testicles and is absorbed back into the body. — Dara T. Mathis, SELF, "We Need to Stop Acting Like Vasectomies Are Heroic," 29 Aug. 2019 DIGITAL HEALTH Scientists are trying to use CRISPR to alter human sperm. — Sy Mukherjee, Fortune, "Obamacare Plans Are Turning a Profit: Brainstorm Health," 22 Aug. 2019 The only harm the court was willing to entertain damages for was the anxiety associated with not knowing what had become of Mr. Andrews’ sperm. — Dov Fox, WIRED, "What Happens When Reproductive Tech Like IVF Goes Awry?," 17 July 2019 There are plenty of causes of problematic sperm production. — Mari A. Schaefer, Philly.com, "Study: Nutrition in nuts may help boost sperm count," 10 July 2018 This tube carries sperm out the tip of the arm and into the female. — Tik Root, Time, "Inside the Race to Build the World's First Commercial Octopus Farm," 21 Aug. 2019 The Cartellones say in documents filed Wednesday in a Hamilton County court that in 1994, Jennifer Cartellone underwent in vitro fertilization but the sperm came from someone else, not her husband. — Steve Almasy And Rebekah Riess, CNN, "Decades ago an Ohio couple used IVF to have a baby, but a new DNA test showed another man is the girl's father," 9 Aug. 2019 The Cartellone family is suing Cincinnati's Institute of Reproductive Health, alleging that a stranger's sperm was used. — Sonja Haller, USA TODAY, "Distraught parents want to corral 'Wild West' IVF field after 3 'mix-ups' in 2 months," 9 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sperm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for sperm
sperm
noun
English Language Learners Definition of sperm
biology
: a cell that is produced by the male sexual organs and that combines with the female's egg in reproduction
: fluid that is produced by the male sexual organs which contains sperm cells
See the full definition for sperm in the English Language Learners Dictionary
sperm
noun
\ ˈspərm
\
\
Kids Definition of sperm
sperm
noun
\ ˈspərm
\
\
plural sperm
or sperms
Medical Definition of sperm
1
: the male impregnating fluid : semen
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