ovary

[ oh-vuh-ree ]

noun

, plural o·va·ries.

1. Anatomy, Zoology. the female gonad or reproductive gland, in which the ova and the hormones that regulate female secondary sex characteristics develop. Compare testis ( def ).
2. Botany. the enlarged lower part of the pistil in angiospermous plants, enclosing the ovules or young seeds.

ovary

/ ˈəʊvərɪ; əʊˈvɛərɪən /

noun

1. either of the two female reproductive organs, which produce ova and secrete oestrogen hormones
2. the corresponding organ in vertebrate and invertebrate animals
3. botany the hollow basal region of a carpel containing one or more ovules. In some plants the carpels are united to form a single compound ovary

ovary

/ ō′və-rē /

1. The reproductive organ in female animals that produces eggs and the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. In most vertebrate animals, the ovaries occur in pairs. In mammals, the ovaries contain numerous follicles, which house the developing eggs (oocytes).
2. See more at menstrual cycle
3. The part of a carpel or of a gynoecium made of fused carpels that contains the ovules in a flower. The ovary is located at the base of the carpel and ripens into a fruit after fertilization of one or more of the ovules.
4. See more at flower

Derived Forms

• ovarian, adjective

Other Words From

• pseud·ova·ry noun plural pseudovaries

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovary¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin ōvārium; ovum, -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovary¹

C17: from New Latin ōvārium, from Latin ōvum egg

Example Sentences

She was eventually forced to undergo emergency surgery to remove most of her right fallopian tube and roughly three-fourths of her right ovary, according to the complaint.

From Slate

She also has been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, which the Office on Women’s Health says causes “a hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems that may affect overall health and appearance.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Tasmanian-born Titmus, known as the Tasmanian Terminator, won four medals, including two golds in Tokyo, but she wasn’t sure she’d even be in Paris, much less making two trips to the podium, after undergoing surgery to remove a large growth on her right ovary last September.

From Los Angeles Times

But a slither of fallopian tube was accidentally left, prompting an ovary regrowth only found in an unrelated ultrasound scan.

From BBC

Alternating between fixer and developer, the resulting images, each as unique as every ovary bearing person’s experience, allude to the anthropological, biological, psychosocial, biblical, and celestial.

From BBC