Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
spermatozoid

spermatozoid

1 9.9
A moving male cell in plants like ferns that fertilizes eggs
  • noun
  • /ˌspɜrməˈtɒzoʊɪd/
  • Specialized
: espermatozoide
  • Ferns reproduce by releasing spermatozoids that swim through water to fertilize eggs.

Examples

  • Under the microscope, the spermatozoid moves swiftly towards the ovule.

  • The biologist studied the spermatozoid in gymnosperms to better understand plant reproduction.

  • The spermatozoid swims towards the egg.

  • Ferns produce spermatozoids for reproduction.

  • Ferns reproduce by releasing spermatozoids that swim through water to fertilize eggs.

  • Under the microscope, the spermatozoid moves swiftly towards the ovule.

  • The biologist studied the spermatozoid in gymnosperms to better understand plant reproduction.

Synonyms

sperm
vsspermatozoid
257 3.2

A male sex cell that joins a female egg to make a baby

is limited to motile forms in certain plants rather than all male cells
sperm cell
vsspermatozoid
4 3.5

A male cell that joins a female egg to make a baby

is reserved for motile cells in certain plants rather than general use
spermatozoon
vsspermatozoid
  • Specialized
2 9.6

A male sex cell that swims to fertilize an egg

is specific to certain plants rather than general biological use
spermatozoan
vsspermatozoid
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A male sex cell that swims and can fertilize an egg

refers only to motile gametes in certain plants rather than all organisms
antherozoid
vsspermatozoid
  • Specialized
9.9

A moving male sex cell in plants like ferns and algae that swims to the egg

has identical meaning but is an alternative technical term used in botany

Surface Forms

spermatozoid singular
spermatozoids plural

Morphology

spermatozoid = sperm (semi-transparent) = spermato + zoid

Formed by adding the combining element '-zoid' to the sperm-related base; the components indicate a sperm-related form but the term is technical and uses combining forms unfamiliar to many learners.

Etymology

Spermatozoid comes from older Greek parts spermato- meaning 'seed' and -zoid meaning 'like' or 'form', and it is related to the English word sperm which also means 'seed'. So a spermatozoid is a 'seed-like' moving cell that swims to reach and fertilize an egg.