testis

noun

tes·​tis ˈte-stəs 

plural testes ˈte-ˌstēz 

: a typically paired male reproductive gland that produces sperm and secretes testosterone and that in most mammals is contained within the scrotum at sexual maturity

Examples of testis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In people with male reproductive systems, the testes produce testosterone. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 29 Nov. 2024

Found in shampoo, makeup, perfume and children’s toys as well as food containers, phthalates have been linked with genital malformations and undescended testes in baby boys and lower sperm counts and testosterone levels in adult males. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024

Creatine is a chemical compound stored in your muscles and in smaller amounts in the brain, liver, kidneys, and testes. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 23 Oct. 2024

This is a condition where a male infant is born with one testis or both testes undescended. —Sarah Bradley, Health, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, witness, testis

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

testis

noun

tes·​tis ˈtes-təs 

plural testes ˈtes-ˌtēz 

: an oval-shaped male reproductive gland that produces sperm and secretes testosterone and that in most mammals is contained within the scrotum

Medical Definition

testis

noun

tes·​tis ˈtes-təs 

plural testes ˈtes-ˌtēz 

: a typically paired male reproductive gland that usually consists largely of seminiferous tubules from the epithelium of which spermatozoa develop, that contains androgen-secreting Leydig cells in the interstitial tissue, that corresponds to the ovary of the female and in craniate vertebrates develops from the genital ridges of the embryo, and that in most mammals descends into the scrotum before the attainment of sexual maturity and in many cases before birth