ovary

[oh-vuh-ree]

noun

plural

ovaries 

1. Anatomy, Zoology.,  the female gonad or reproductive gland, in which the ova and the hormones that regulate female secondary sex characteristics develop.

2. Botany.,  the enlarged lower part of the pistil in angiospermous plants, enclosing the ovules or young seeds.

ovary

/ ˈəʊvərɪ, əʊˈvɛərɪən /

noun

1. either of the two female reproductive organs, which produce ova and secrete oestrogen hormones

2. the corresponding organ in vertebrate and invertebrate animals

3. botany the hollow basal region of a carpel containing one or more ovules. In some plants the carpels are united to form a single compound ovary

ovary

1. The reproductive organ in female animals that produces eggs and the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. In most vertebrate animals, the ovaries occur in pairs. In mammals, the ovaries contain numerous follicles, which house the developing eggs (oocytes).

2. See more at menstrual cycle ovulation

3. The part of a carpel or of a gynoecium made of fused carpels that contains the ovules in a flower. The ovary is located at the base of the carpel and ripens into a fruit after fertilization of one or more of the ovules.

4. See more at flower

Other Word Forms

• ovarian adjective
• pseudovary noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovary¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin ōvārium; ovum, -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovary¹

C17: from New Latin ōvārium, from Latin ōvum egg

Example Sentences

Endometriosis is caused when tissue similar to the womb's lining grows in other parts of the body such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

From BBC

Beth Rodgers, 32, from Belfast has Turner syndrome, a rare genetic condition that means her ovaries do not produce eggs.

From BBC

The next webinar will take place on Tuesday evening and will discuss polycystic ovary syndrome, premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

From BBC

“I don’t just look at your uterus, tubes, ovaries, breasts and say, ‘You’re done.’

From Los Angeles Times

"I have polycystic ovaries as well, so I can't get pregnant easily or quickly. So it was an even bigger shock that I had, which didn't make any sense to me," she says.

From BBC