What does "sperm" mean?

1. (reproductive cell) the tiny cell from a male that joins with a female egg to start a baby. 2. (whale oil) a type of oil or wax found in the head of a sperm whale.

How do you use "sperm"?

Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the substance generally.

sperm

US //ˈspɝm// UK //spˈɜːm// sperm

1 reproductive cell (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Medicine

the tiny cell from a male that joins with a female egg to start a baby.

the male reproductive cell or spermatozoon. Countable in biological contexts.

Example

The doctor explained how the sperm fertilizes the egg during conception.

Example

Microscopic analysis revealed that the sperm count was within the normal range for a healthy adult male.

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the substance generally.
- spermatozoon
- gamete
- egg
- ovum
2 whale oil (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Archaic Science

a type of oil or wax found in the head of a sperm whale.

sperm oil or spermaceti obtained from the head of the sperm whale.

Example

In the past, people used sperm oil to fuel their lamps.

Example

The historical importance of sperm whales was largely due to the high quality of the sperm oil harvested for industrial lubricants.
- spermaceti
- whale oil

Origin

From Middle English sperme, from Latin sperma, from Ancient Greek σπέρμα (spérma, “seed, semen”). Compare also Old French esperme, sparme.

Idioms1 entry

01
sperm donor
A man who is the father of a woman's child or children, but no longer has a relationship, or has a hostile relationship, with the woman, and is typically uninvolved with the children as well.