inseminate

[ in-sem-uh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·sem·i·nat·ed, in·sem·i·nat·ing.

1. to inject semen into (the female reproductive tract); impregnate.
2. to sow; implant seed into.
3. to sow as seed in something; implant:

   to inseminate youth with new ideas.

inseminate

/ ɪnˈsɛmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to impregnate (a female) with semen
2. to introduce (ideas or attitudes) into the mind of (a person or group)

Derived Forms

• inˌsemiˈnation, noun
• inˈsemiˌnator, noun

Other Words From

• in·semi·nation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inseminate¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin insēminātus, past participle of insēmināre “to implant, impregnate,” equivalent to in- “in” + sēminātus (equivalent to sēminā(re) “to sow,” derivative of sēmen “seed” + -tus past participle suffix). See in- ²; semen

Word History and Origins

Origin of inseminate¹

C17: from Latin insēmināre, from in- ² + sēmināre to sow, from sēmen seed

Example Sentences

As a veterinarian on the team preparing to artificially inseminate this animal, my palms were sweating at the thought of missing a step, dropping the sperm sample, or finding out our sample did not survive freezing.

From The Daily Beast

An obstetrician there sourced sperm, supposedly from an anonymous medical intern, and artificially inseminated Huhn’s mom.

From Voice of San Diego

Or, alternatively, we could run away scot-free down Fifth Avenue and pause now and then to inseminate someone.

From The Daily Beast

They were given a hand-drawn booklet that taught lesbians how to inseminate themselves using a turkey baster.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• fertilize