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testis

American  
[tes-tis] / ˈtɛs tɪs /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

testes

  1. the male gonad or reproductive gland, either of the two oval glands located in the scrotum, commonly referred to as a testicle.

testis British  
/ ˈtɛstɪs /

noun

  1. another word for testicle

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
testis Scientific  
/ tĕs′tĭs /

plural

testes

  1. The primary reproductive organ of male animals, in which sperm and the male sex hormones (androgens) are produced. In most vertebrates, the testes are contained inside the body. In many mammals, however, the testes are enclosed in an external scrotum.

Etymology

Origin of testis

First recorded 1675–85; from Latin: “witness, spectator, testicle”; the sense “male gonad” is a loan translation from Greek parastátēs “bystander, supporter (at law),” in medical usage (in the dual and plural) “the (pair of) glands lying side by side, the testicles” (equivalent to para- para- 1 ( def. ) + the combining form -statēs, from histánai “to make stand.”) Compare Greek prostátēs “one who stands in front, ruler,” in medical usage “the gland lying in front, the prostate ( def. ) ”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the cell, it binds to other DNA, leading to testis formation, according to the National Library of Medicine.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Four additional genes are active only in the testis and are essential for sperm production.

From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2026

"In humans, differently from other animal species and lower mammalians, testis are located outside of the abdomen. This contributes to the maintenance of an organ temperature 2º to 4° C below core body temperature."

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2024

By employing advanced sequencing techniques, the researchers identified significant differences in DNA methylation across thousands of regions in both the brain and testis of the affected frogs.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2024

He was associated with Anu, lord of solids and of the lower world, equivalent to the "testis," or egg on the right side.

From Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism With an Essay on Baal Worship, On The Assyrian Sacred "Grove," And Other by Inman, Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.