zygote

[zahy-goht, zig-oht]

noun

Biology.

1. the cell produced by the union of two gametes, before it undergoes cleavage.

zygote

/ ˈzɪɡ-, zɪ-, ˈzaɪɡəʊt, zaɪˈɡɒtɪk /

noun

1. the cell resulting from the union of an ovum and a spermatozoon

2. the organism that develops from such a cell

zygote

1. The cell formed by the union of the nuclei of two reproductive cells (gametes), especially a fertilized egg cell.

zygote

1. The single cell that results from fertilization of an ovum by a sperm. After dividing several times, it implants in the uterus. It continues to divide, producing more cells and passing through the stages of embryo and fetus.

Other Word Forms

• zygotically adverb
• zygotic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of zygote¹

1885–90; < Greek zygōtós yoked, equivalent to zygō-, variant stem of zygoûn to yoke, join together (derivative of zygón yoke ¹ ) + -tos adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of zygote¹

C19: from Greek zugōtos yoked, from zugoun to yoke

Example Sentences

Hermit’s damaged, surgically removed organ becomes an incubator for a xenomorph zygote without his knowledge or permission.

From Salon

Hell, social media as we know it was a zygote.

From Salon

Then, feigning originalism in Dobbs, they vitiated Equal Protection, elevating the legal rights of zygotes over those of living, breathing women, citing 12th-century mores when men like Alito burned women like me at the stake.

From Salon

Since Rachel and Alvy only ever feel like constructs, not characters, it’s predictable that their attitudes would reverse once their zygote is encased in egg-shaped plastic.

From Los Angeles Times

Yes, all the zygote seems to get by way of instruction is a genome, but you will look there in vain for any blueprint for a heart or brain.

From Scientific American