ovum

American  

[oh-vuhm] / ˈoʊ vəm /

noun

PLURAL

ova

1. Cell Biology.

   1. the female reproductive cell or gamete of animals, which is capable of developing, usually only after fertilization, into a new individual.

   2. the female reproductive cell or gamete of plants.

2. Architecture. an oval ornament, as in an egg-and-dart molding.

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ovum British  

/ ˈəʊvəm /

noun

1. an unfertilized female gamete; egg cell

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Etymology

Origin of ovum

First recorded in 1700–10; from Latin ōvum egg ¹; cognate with Greek ōión

Compare meaning

How does ovum compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• oocyte vs. ovum

Example Sentences

Just as the human being emerges from the fertilized ovum, the creation of the possible is a natural gift and phenomenon we have been given as human beings.

From Salon

A female has a system “developed to produce ova” while a male has a system “developed to fertilize” that ova.

From Washington Times

The bill defines female as having XX chromosomes, and a reproductive and endocrine system that produces or would produce ova, or eggs.

From Seattle Times

For example, in many mammal species, ova producers do most of the infant care.

From Scientific American

Rather, after trying and failing at different hustles, and like so many others in this movie — who sell suits and snake oil, human ova and baby formula — she now has something of exchange value.

From New York Times