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DictionaryeggReproductive cell
noun

egg

A female reproductive cell that can be fertilized by sperm.

A sperm cell can fertilize an egg inside the fallopian tube.

Etymology
eggOld Norseegg

The inherited term for an egg was extended to the female reproductive cell itself. The scientific sense includes cells that are not enclosed in a visible shell.

More examples

  • The ovaries usually release one egg during each menstrual cycle.
  • The clinic freezes unfertilized eggs for possible use later.
  • A fertilized egg begins dividing into more cells.

Forms

egg · eggs

fertilization noun — The joining of sperm and egg.

Similar words

ovum
Ovum is the technical term for a mature egg cell.