ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ova

n. plural-only
C2 Proficiency US //ˈoʊvə// UK //ˈəʊvɐ// ova Dialect

n. the female reproductive cells that can grow into a baby after being joined with a male cell. In science, this is the plural form of 'ovum'.

n. the plural form of 'ovum'; mature female reproductive cells or gametes that can develop into an embryo after fertilisation.


SIMPLE

The doctor checked the health of the patient's ova.

CONTEXTUAL

In many species, the ova are significantly larger than the sperm cells because they contain nutrients for the developing embryo.

COMPLEX

Advanced fertility treatments often involve the cryopreservation of ova to allow patients the possibility of conceiving at a later stage in their lives.

Synonyms
Usage

The plural form of 'ovum'; takes plural verb agreement.

Pitfall

The ova is healthy.The ova are healthy.Ova is the plural form of ovum and requires a plural verb.

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