First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1male
noun \ˈmāl\
: a man or a boy : a male person
: a male animal
: a plant that does not produce seed or fruit : a male plant
Full Definition of MALE
1
a : a male person : a man or a boy b : an individual that produces small usually motile gametes (as spermatozoa or spermatozoids) which fertilize the eggs of a female
2
: a staminate plant
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Origin of MALE
Middle English, from Anglo-French masle, male, adjective & noun, from Latin masculus — more at masculine
Related to MALE
Other Biology Terms
Rhymes with MALE
2male
adjective
: of or relating to the sex that cannot produce young or lay eggs
: characteristic of boys or men
: having members who are all boys or men
Full Definition of MALE
1
a (1) : of, relating to, or being the sex that produces gametes which fertilize the eggs of a female (2) : staminate; especially : having only staminate flowers and not producing fruit or seeds <a male holly> b (1) : of, relating to, or characteristic of the male sex <a deep male voice> (2) : made up of usually adult male individuals <a male choir>
2
: masculine 3a
3
: designed with a projecting part for fitting into a corresponding female part <male hose coupling>
— male·ness \-nəs\ noun
See male defined for English-language learners
See male defined for kids
First Known Use of MALE
14th century
Related to MALE
Other Biology Terms
Male
geographical name Ma·le \ˈmä-lē\
Definition of MALE
island (atoll), chief of the Maldives pop 103,693; contains the nation's ∗
MALE[1] Defined for Kids
1male
noun \ˈmāl\
Definition of MALE for Kids
1
: a man or a boy
2
: a person or animal that produces germ cells (as sperm) that fertilize the eggs of a female
3
: a plant with stamens but no pistil
2male
adjective
Definition of MALE for Kids
1
: of, relating to, or being the sex that fertilizes the eggs of a female
2
: bearing stamens but no pistil <a male flower>
3
: of or characteristic of men or boys <a male singing voice>
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