zygote
Americannoun
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the cell produced by the union of two gametes, before it undergoes cleavage.
noun
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the cell resulting from the union of an ovum and a spermatozoon
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the organism that develops from such a cell
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The cell formed by the union of the nuclei of two reproductive cells (gametes), especially a fertilized egg cell.
Other Word Forms
- zygotic adjective
- zygotically adverb
Etymology
Origin of zygote
1885–90; < Greek zygōtós yoked, equivalent to zygō-, variant stem of zygoûn to yoke, join together (derivative of zygón yoke 1 ) + -tos adj. suffix
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hell, social media as we know it was a zygote.
From Salon • Jul. 31, 2025
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 • Aug. 11, 2023
This is strikingly apparent in the development of a new organism—a human being, say—from a single fertilized egg, or zygote.
From Scientific American • May 31, 2023
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 • May 31, 2023
IX, X, show the formation of the zygote by fusion of the nuclei of the gametes.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 5 "Clervaux" to "Cockade" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.