# sperm

/ˈspɝm/ (US) · /spˈɜːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sperm
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. reproductive cell

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

For teachers: the male reproductive cell or spermatozoon. Countable in biological contexts.

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

### 3. whale oil

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Archaic

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

For teachers: sperm oil or spermaceti obtained from the head of the sperm whale.

- In the past, people used sperm oil to fuel their lamps.
- The historical importance of sperm whales was largely due to the high quality of the sperm oil harvested for industrial lubricants.

## Examples

- The doctor checked the health of the sperm cells.
- Fertilization occurs when a single sperm successfully penetrates the outer layer of the egg.
- Advanced microscopy allows researchers to observe the precise swimming patterns of sperm as they navigate the chemical gradients of the reproductive tract.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.