ovulate

[ ov-yuh-leyt, oh-vyuh-leyt- ]

verb (used without object)

, Biology.

, ov·u·lat·ed, ov·u·lat·ing.

1. to produce and discharge eggs from an ovary or ovarian follicle.

ovulate

/ ˈɒvjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. intr to produce or discharge eggs from an ovary

Derived Forms

• ˌovuˈlation, noun

Other Words From

• ovu·lation noun
• ov·u·la·to·ry [ov, -y, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, oh, -vy, uh, -], adjective
• multi·ovu·late adjective
• multi·ovu·lated adjective
• pre·ovu·la·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovulate¹

First recorded in 1860–65; ovule + -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovulate¹

C19: from ovule

Example Sentences

"The majority of ovarian follicles, already present at birth, never enter the growing pool and eventually self-destruct. This new data allows us to start building our understanding of what makes a good egg -- what determines which follicle is going to grow, ovulate, be fertilized and become a baby."

From Science Daily

In some cases the ovaries may intermittently “wake up” and ovulate, meaning that some women with primary ovarian insufficiency may still get pregnant.

From New York Times

Among the findings, the atlas reveals that roughly one hour before an egg is released, the follicles undergo an additional layer of selection to determine which ones will ovulate.

From Science Daily

First, that the female will ovulate.

From Slate

She notes that females add kilograms when they ovulate and lactate.

From Science Magazine