unfertilized

adjective

un·​fer·​til·​ized ˌən-ˈfər-tə-ˌlīzd How to pronounce unfertilized (audio)
: not made fertile : not fertilized
an unfertilized egg
unfertilized soil

Examples of unfertilized in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web An estimate of 4,000 embryos and an additional 1,000 specimens of sperm and unfertilized eggs stored at the Al Basma center in Gaza City were lost, Dr. Bahaeldeen Ghalayini, the founder and director of the clinic, told ABC News. Nadine Shubailat, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2024 In parthenogenesis, a polar body fuses with the unfertilized egg, triggering it to form an embryo. Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2024 The case for the baby great white sighting While in utero, embryonic sharks feed on unfertilized eggs for protein. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2024 One story holds that Julieta once laid a batch of eggs near the enclosure, all unfertilized. Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 23 Nov. 2023 Drones develop from unfertilized eggs and are much larger than worker bees. Marina Johnson, Detroit Free Press, 4 May 2023 In wasps, bees and ants, however, males generally are born from unfertilized eggs and therefore contain only genetic information from their mother. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023 We primates have spindle proteins, which are crucial for cell division, located near the chromosomes in our unfertilized eggs. Molly Glick, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2021 Parthenogenesis is the development of viable offspring from unfertilized eggs, no sperm necessary. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 17 Nov. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unfertilized.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1775, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unfertilized was circa 1775

Dictionary Entries Near unfertilized

Cite this Entry

“Unfertilized.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unfertilized. Accessed 9 May. 2024.

Medical Definition

unfertilized

adjective
un·​fer·​til·​ized -ˈfərt-ᵊl-ˌīzd How to pronounce unfertilized (audio)
: not fertilized
an unfertilized egg
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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