oocyst

noun

oo·​cyst ˈō-ə-ˌsist How to pronounce oocyst (audio)
: zygote
specifically : a sporozoan zygote undergoing sporogenous development

Examples of oocyst 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.
Free-range animals are more prone to pick up infectious Toxoplasma oocysts in outdoor pastures and water sources, which have a higher likelihood of being contaminated with cat feces. — Bill Sullivan, The Conversation, 10 July 2024 Changing the litter box daily ensures that the oocysts will not become a danger. — Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oocyst was in 1875

Rhymes for oocyst

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“Oocyst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oocyst. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

oocyst

noun
oo·​cyst ˈō-ə-ˌsist How to pronounce oocyst (audio)
: zygote
specifically : a sporozoan zygote undergoing sporogenous development

More from Merriam-Webster on oocyst

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oocyst

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