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
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. 2019 Wolf said his clients want to know the identity of Rebecca's biological father and whether Joe Cartellone's sperm was used for another patient. — NBC News, "Ohio family using DNA kit learns dad and daughter not related, sues fertility clinic," 9 Aug. 2019 At-home sperm testing company ExSeed Health raised $1.2 million from venture investors. — Polina Marinova, Fortune, "Why Venture Capitalists Are Pouring Money Into Male Fertility Startups: Term Sheet," 8 Aug. 2019 The sperm exchanged during this initial encounter is enough to fertilize the queen’s eggs for the rest of her lifetime (up to 15 years in the wild and 28 in captivity), ensuring the colony’s growth and longevity. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Swarms of Flying Ants Overtaking Great Britain Show Up as Rain on Radar," 20 July 2019 An April 2012 breakdown affected 250 patients at Northwestern Memorial Hospital who had also put their sperm samples on ice. — Dov Fox, Vox, "The legal limbo of lost embryos," 3 July 2019 Progestin also impairs sperm motility and survival. — Ginny Graves, Allure, "Birth Control: 3 Different Types and How They Work," 8 Apr. 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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