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Glite Dictionary
sex gland

sex gland

1 4.4
A gland that makes the cells used to make babies, like an ovary or testis
  • noun
  • /sɛks ɡlænd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : glándula sexual
  • The sex glands play a vital role in reproduction by producing sex cells necessary for fertilization.

Examples

  • SAM: I'm at the mercy of your sex glands.

    The Lost Boys (1987)

  • The male sex glands produce a fluid known as sperm, semen, lubinol, and urine.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The human body contains two sex glands, the testes in males and the ovaries in females.

  • Hormones released by the sex glands regulate various bodily functions and influence puberty.

Synonyms

testicle
vssex gland
  • Specialized
92 6.5

An oval part in the male body that makes sperm and male hormones

is the broader label for any gamete-producing gland, not only this organ
ovary
vssex gland
41 4.6

A female organ that makes eggs and hormones for the menstrual cycle

is the general term for gamete-producing glands, not limited to females
gonad
vssex gland
  • Specialized
14 7.0

A body gland that makes sex cells like eggs or sperm

is the common nontechnical phrase for those gamete-producing glands
reproductive organ
vssex gland
11 3.1

An organ that makes eggs or sperm, like ovaries, testes, and flower parts

is narrower, referring only to glands that specifically produce gametes
sex organ
vssex gland
  • Specialized
5 3.3

A body part used to make babies, like the penis, vagina, testes, or ovaries

is limited to glands that make gametes rather than all sexual organs
testis
vssex gland
  • Specialized
4 7.1

One of the two male glands that make sperm and the hormone testosterone

is the general term for such gamete-producing glands, not just males

Surface Forms

sex gland singular
sex glands plural

Morphology

sex + gland

The compound is directly compositional: 'sex' (relating to reproduction/sexual characteristics) qualifies 'gland' (an organ that releases hormones or fluids), so a learner can infer it is a gland related to sexual/reproductive function. Knowing the constituents, a B1 learner can reasonably deduce that it refers to organs that produce sex cells or sex-related hormones. This noun+noun compounding pattern is common cross-linguistically, making the meaning transparent.

Etymology

Sex gland: The term sex gland comes from the clear image of a gland that makes 'sex cells' like eggs or sperm and hormones. Here sex points to reproduction and gland means a body part that produces substances, so the phrase means a gland where reproductive cells are made.