sperm cell: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Scientific, Medical
Quick answer
What does “sperm cell” mean?
The male gamete, or reproductive cell, which fuses with an egg cell during fertilization to form a zygote.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The male gamete, or reproductive cell, which fuses with an egg cell during fertilization to form a zygote.
In biology, the mature motile cell produced by males of most animal species, containing half the genetic material necessary to form a new organism. The term is also used conceptually in discussions of fertility, genetics, and reproductive technologies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely scientific and neutral in both registers.
Frequency
Equally common in academic/medical contexts in both regions. The shortened form 'sperm' is more frequent in everyday language.
Grammar
How to Use “sperm cell” in a Sentence
The sperm cell fertilizes the egg.A sperm cell contains 23 chromosomes.Scientists observed the sperm cell under a microscope.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sperm cell” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Rarely used adjectivally; 'spermatic' or 'sperm' as in 'sperm count' is used instead]
American English
- [Rarely used adjectivally; 'spermatic' or 'sperm' as in 'sperm donor' is used instead]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contexts of fertility clinics, biotech, or pharmaceutical industries.
Academic
Core term in biology, medicine, genetics, and reproductive science textbooks and papers.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation except in specific discussions about fertility, conception, or health.
Technical
Precise term used in medical diagnostics, embryology, and genetic research.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sperm cell”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sperm cell”
- Incorrect pluralization: 'sperms cell' (correct: 'sperm cells'). Confusing 'sperm' (mass noun for the fluid/tissue) with 'sperm cell' (countable noun for the individual unit).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In precise terms, 'sperm' often refers to the seminal fluid containing millions of sperm cells. 'Sperm cell' specifies the individual reproductive cell itself.
A human sperm cell contains 23 chromosomes, which is half the full complement of 46 found in other body cells.
No, sperm cells are microscopic and require a microscope to be seen individually.
Yes, it is the formal, scientific term. It is appropriate for academic, medical, and educational contexts. The shortened form 'sperm' is common but can be considered informal or blunt in some non-settings.
The male gamete, or reproductive cell, which fuses with an egg cell during fertilization to form a zygote.
Sperm cell: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɜːm ˌsɛl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɝːm ˌsɛl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None - term is purely scientific]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SPERM CELL = Special Passenger Carrying Essential Reproductive Material. It's the CELL that swims to deliver its genetic cargo.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often metaphorically described as a 'swimmer' or 'delivery vehicle' for genetic information on a journey to the egg.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a sperm cell?