zygote

noun

zy·​gote ˈzī-ˌgōt How to pronounce zygote (audio)
: a cell formed by the union of two gametes
broadly : the developing individual produced from such a cell
zygotic adjective

Examples of zygote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Feinberg says the ruling could potentially also make offering IVF too costly for providers, who might have to pay more for malpractice insurance in states where zygotes are considered people. Maria Godoy, NPR, 23 Feb. 2024 That will create a different zygote and you won't be born. Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 22 Sep. 2023 Su and her colleagues were able to characterize the RNA into five distinct genetic profiles or time periods of embryonic development: the oocyte or egg, zygote or fertilized egg, cleavage, morula and blastocyst stages. Deborah Balthazar, STAT, 17 Jan. 2024 Cell mitosis takes place over three to five days, as your zygote makes its way through your fallopian tube. ​wendy Wisner, Parents, 18 Nov. 2023 Scientists say that a single zooid (formed from a single fertilized zygote) starts the development of a siphonophore colony through the process of budding. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2023 The zygote then divides, eventually forming an organism with mostly the same genetic material throughout its body. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023 That means both embryos come from the same fertilized egg, or zygote. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2021 Each zygote's growth is optimized and their every need tended to by the pod; parents can even choose to feed them or soothe them remotely from an app, like Tamagotchis. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 20 Jan. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Greek zygōtos yoked, from zygoun to join — more at zygoma

First Known Use

circa 1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zygote was circa 1887

Cite this Entry

“Zygote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zygote. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

zygote

noun
zy·​gote ˈzī-ˌgōt How to pronounce zygote (audio)
: a cell formed by the union of two sex cells
also : the developing individual produced from such a cell
zygotic adjective

Medical Definition

zygote

noun
zy·​gote ˈzī-ˌgōt How to pronounce zygote (audio)
: a cell formed by the union of two gametes
broadly : the developing individual produced from such a cell

More from Merriam-Webster on zygote

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