spermatocyte

noun

sper·​mato·​cyte (ˌ)spər-ˈma-tə-ˌsīt How to pronounce spermatocyte (audio)
: a cell giving rise to sperm cells
especially : a cell that is derived by mitosis from a spermatogonium and ultimately gives rise by meiosis to four haploid spermatids

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spermatocyte was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near spermatocyte

Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

spermatocyte

noun
sper·​mato·​cyte (ˌ)spər-ˈmat-ə-ˌsīt How to pronounce spermatocyte (audio)
: a cell giving rise to sperm
especially : a cell that is derived from a spermatogonium and ultimately gives rise to four haploid spermatids
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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