parthenogenesis

noun

par·​the·​no·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpär-thə-nō-ˈje-nə-səs How to pronounce parthenogenesis (audio)
: reproduction by development of an unfertilized usually female gamete that occurs especially among lower plants and invertebrate animals
parthenogenetic adjective
or less commonly parthenogenic
parthenogenetically adverb

Examples of parthenogenesis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One hypothesis is parthenogenesis occurs when females lack a male presence, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 In 2023, an epaulette shark was born via parthenogenesis at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago to a female shark that hadn’t been around males in at least four years, McClatchy News reported. Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025 Meanwhile, there have been published cases of parthenogenesis involving more than half a dozen shark species, Feldheim said, from the bonnethead to the common smooth-hound. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Jan. 2025 The insects’ resilience is equally remarkable, possibly bolstered by a unique trait—parthenogenesis. Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for parthenogenesis 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek parthenos + Latin genesis genesis

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parthenogenesis was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near parthenogenesis

Cite this Entry

“Parthenogenesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parthenogenesis. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

parthenogenesis

noun
par·​the·​no·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpär-thə-nō-ˈje-nə-səs How to pronounce parthenogenesis (audio)
: reproduction especially among lower plants and invertebrates in which a germ cell that has not undergone fertilization develops into a new individual

Medical Definition

parthenogenesis

noun
par·​the·​no·​gen·​e·​sis ˌpär-thə-nō-ˈjen-ə-səs How to pronounce parthenogenesis (audio)
plural parthenogeneses -ˌsēz How to pronounce parthenogenesis (audio)
: reproduction by development of an unfertilized usually female gamete that occurs especially among lower plants and invertebrate animals

More from Merriam-Webster on parthenogenesis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!