spermatheca

noun

sper·​ma·​the·​ca ˌspər-mə-ˈthē-kə How to pronounce spermatheca (audio)
: a sac for sperm storage in the female reproductive tract of various lower animals and especially insects

Examples of spermatheca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unlike mammals, a female spider has a sac in its reproductive tract called the spermatheca that holds sperm and prevents it from meeting an egg. Megan Marples, CNN, 26 Apr. 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spermatheca was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near spermatheca

Cite this Entry

“Spermatheca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spermatheca. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

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