ovulation

noun

ovu·​la·​tion ˌä vyə-ˈlā-shən  ˌō- 

: the discharge of a mature ovum from the ovary

Doctors have found that a few days before ovulation, as many as 30 to 50 egg follicles have begun to mature. Normally, only one will fully ripen … and the rest are lost.

—Mary Duenwald

In principle, ovulation takes place midway through a 28-day … cycle.

—Judith N. Schwartz

Examples of ovulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Martel and her colleagues found that participants reported worse ADHD symptoms, such as inattention and impulsivity, just before and at the start of their period and, to a lesser extent, around ovulation. —Kelso Harper, Scientific American, 8 Jan. 2025

The follicular phase is when your body prepares for ovulation. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 22 Dec. 2024

Just before ovulation, luteinizing hormone (LH) spikes, triggering the egg release. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 22 Dec. 2024

Instead, the medication delays ovulation so a woman doesn’t become pregnant, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Yasmine Salam, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ovule or its source, Medieval Latin ōvulum + -ation

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ovulation

noun

ovu·​la·​tion ˌäv-yə-ˈlā-shən 

also

ˌōv- 

: the discharge of a mature ovum from the ovary

The persistent high level of estrogen induces an abrupt release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland, and this hormonal surge then triggers ovulation.

—Hsiu-Wei Su et al., Bioengineering & Translational Medicine