noun
Common
sperm
spurm
Sperm (noun) means the male reproductive cell. Example: “Under the microscope, the students could see a single sperm swimming.”
noun
1
The male reproductive cell.
"Under the microscope, the students could see a single sperm swimming."
"A sperm cell has a long tail that helps it move."
"However, in some men precum will contain sperm so adequate protection should be used to prevent pregnancy."
— Dr. Steve Chapman, Is swallowing semen good for you? (2024)
"Seeing the two little moving cells – the result of her egg and Luke's sperm – was incredible, and two very long weeks later the clinic confirmed I was pregnant."
— Sarah Whitehouse, The Guardian (2012)
"Only one sperm can fertilize an egg."
2
Semen, the fluid containing sperm cells.
"The clinic tested a sample of his sperm."
How to use sperm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe male reproductive cell, or informally the fluid that carries it.
Common pairings
sperm count
sperm donor
sperm cell
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Word forms
- Plural
- sperms
- Third person singular
- sperms
- Past tense
- spermed
Fill the gap
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Under the microscope, the students could see a single _____ swimming.
Etymology
From Latin sperma, from Ancient Greek σπέρμα (spérma, "seed, semen").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for sperm
See all rhymes for sperm →Frequently asked questions
What does “sperm” mean?
The word “sperm” means the male reproductive cell. In plain terms, the male reproductive cell, or informally the fluid that carries it.
How do you pronounce “sperm”?
“Sperm” is pronounced spurm (/spɜɹm/ in IPA).
How do you use “sperm” in a sentence?
Here is “sperm” used in a sentence: “Only one sperm can fertilize an egg.”
What is another word for “sperm”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sperm” include milt and seed.
What part of speech is “sperm”?
“Sperm” is a noun.
Where does the word “sperm” come from?
The word “sperm” comes from Ancient Greek.
Is “sperm” a common word?
“Sperm” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sperm” have?
“Sperm” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the male reproductive cell.
Is sperm singular or plural?
Sperm is typically used the same way for both singular and plural, so you can say "a sperm" for one cell or "sperm" collectively for many, without adding an -s.
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