What does spermatozoon mean?
A spermatozoon is the formal scientific name for a male reproductive cell, also called a sperm cell or spermatozoan. It is produced in the testes and carries genetic information in its head, with structures that help it swim and an acrosome involved in penetrating an egg during fertilization. The singular is spermatozoon, while the plural is spermatozoa. In general writing, people usually say sperm, which can refer to individual cells as well as to the reproductive fluid containing them. Spermatozoon is therefore especially common in biology, medicine, reproductive science, and laboratory reports. Its terminology reflects its biological function: each cell is a specialized reproductive unit capable of combining with a female gamete to produce a new organism.
nounA spermatozoon is a male reproductive cell, or gamete, that carries genetic information and can fuse with a female reproductive cell during fertilization. The plural form is spermatozoa.
- A male reproductive cell that carries a haploid set of chromosomes and participates in fertilization.
"The spermatozoon traveled through the reproductive tract before reaching the egg."
"A single spermatozoon can fertilize an egg."
"The laboratory assessed whether the spermatozoon could move normally."
The standard plural of spermatozoon is spermatozoa. Some scientific writing also uses spermatozoons, although spermatozoa is the conventional form.
"Human spermatozoa must swim through the female reproductive tract to reach the egg."
Its name literally means 'seed animal': the word joins Greek roots for seed and living creature, reflecting its role in reproduction.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spermatozoon come from?
The word comes from Greek spermat-, meaning 'seed' or 'sperm', combined with zōion, meaning 'animal' or 'living creature'. It entered English through New Latin and was used in scientific writing as a more precise term for the male reproductive cell. Related English terms such as spermatogenesis, spermatocyte, and spermatid preserve the same Greek reproductive root.
Related word forms
How spermatozoon is actually used
Spermatozoon is chiefly used in scientific and medical contexts. In everyday speech, sperm is much more common, and it may refer either to individual spermatozoa or to the fluid containing them.
Easily confused with spermatozoon
Spermatozoon is the formal scientific term for an individual male reproductive cell, whereas sperm is the everyday collective term for these cells and their seminal fluid.