Ovum

/ˈoʊ.vəm/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A female gamete or reproductive cell in animals and plants that is capable of developing into a new organism upon fertilization.

The ovum is released from the ovary during ovulation.

In zoology, it refers to the egg produced by female animals.

The fertilization of the ovum leads to the formation of a zygote.

In botany, it refers to the structure that contains the egg within an ovule.

In flowering plants, the ovum develops within the ovule inside the ovary.

Latin 'ovum' meaning 'egg'.

ovum donation

The process of donating eggs for use in assisted reproduction.

fertilized ovum

An ovum that has been penetrated by a sperm and has begun to develop.

sperm

The male reproductive cell.

zygote

A fertilized ovum that has begun to divide.

Egg

She's got a couple of quality eggs in her.

Fertilizable cell

She said she's got some good ova ready for fertilization.