polyspermy

[ pol-ee-spur-mee ]

noun

1. the fertilization of an ovum by several spermatozoa.

Other Words From

• pol·y·sper·mic [pol-ee-, spur, -mik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyspermy¹

First recorded in 1885–90; polyspermia, -y ³

Example Sentences

"This prevents polyspermy -- the fusion of multiple sperm with a single egg -- which is a fatal condition for the embryo."

From Science Daily

But then females couldn't have an egg fertilized by multiple sperm, so their bodies evolved these defenses to prevent polyspermy, where two sneak in and fertilize an egg.

From Salon

Bird eggs are fertilized by more than one sperm, a process called polyspermy.

From New York Times