-sperm

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

-sperm combining_form:in_noun:countable

1. (in botany) a seed: gymnosperm

-spermous, -spermal combining_form:in_adjective

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

sperm¹ /spɜrm/   n., pl. sperm, sperms. 

1. Cell Biology [countable] a male reproductive cell.
2. [uncountable] semen.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sperm¹ (spûrm),  n., pl. sperm, sperms for 2.

1. Physiology semen.
2. Cell Biology a male reproductive cell;
   spermatozoon.

• Greek spérma seed, equivalent. to sper- (base of speírein to sow seeds) + -ma noun, nominal suffix of result
• Late Latin sperma
• Middle English sperme 1350–1400

sperm² (spûrm),  n. 

1. Drugs spermaceti.
2. Mammals See sperm whale. 
3. See sperm oil. 

• by shortening 1830–40

sperm-, 

1. var. of spermo- before a vowel:
   spermine.

-sperm, 

1. a combining form with the meaning "one having seeds'' of the kind specified by the initial element:
   gymnosperm.

• Greek -spermos; see -spermous