[ ˌspə:mətə(ʊ)'zəʊɒn , spəˌmat- ]
■ noun ( plural spermatozoa -'zəʊə ) Biology the mature motile male sex cell of an animal, by which the ovum is fertilized, typically having a compact head and one or more long flagella for swimming.
Derivatives
spermatozoal adjective
spermatozoan adjective
Origin
C19: from Gk sperma , spermat- 'seed' + zōion 'animal'.