capacitation

noun

ca·​pac·​i·​ta·​tion kə-ˌpa-sə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce capacitation (audio)
: the change undergone by sperm in the female reproductive tract that enables them to penetrate and fertilize an egg

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of capacitation was in 1951

Dictionary Entries Near capacitation

Cite this Entry

“Capacitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capacitation. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

capacitation

noun
ca·​pac·​i·​ta·​tion kə-ˌpas-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce capacitation (audio)
: the change undergone by sperm in the female reproductive tract that enables them to penetrate and fertilize an egg

More from Merriam-Webster on capacitation

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!