ovarian

adjective

ovar·​i·​an ō-ˈver-ē-ən How to pronounce ovarian (audio)
variants or less commonly ovarial
ō-ˈver-ē-əl How to pronounce ovarian (audio)
: of, relating to, or involving an ovary
ovarian cancer

Examples of ovarian 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.
Irregular or heavy bleeding can be an early sign of conditions that raise heart disease risk such as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS, formerly PCOS). — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 26 Oct. 2026 Will those risks outweigh the benefits, especially with extremely low early-stage detection for prostate, breast, ovarian, skin, and inadequate evidence of accuracy for many other cancers? — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026 After being diagnosed with a diminished ovarian reserve, Jung went through 15 egg retrievals and 5 embryo transfers before eventually giving birth at 43. — Jessica Poitevien, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026 Your Fertility May Be Preserved After Cancer Treatment Taking CoQ10 and vitamin D supplements may help women with ovarian, cervical, or endometrial cancers achieve successful pregnancies. — Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ovarian

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ovarian was in 1759

Rhymes for ovarian

See All Rhymes for ovarian

Browse Nearby Words

ovari-
ovarian
ovariectomy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ovarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ovarian. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ovarian

adjective
ovar·​i·​an ō-ˈvar-ē-ən How to pronounce ovarian (audio)
-ˈver-
: of, relating to, or produced by an ovary
ovarian hormones

Medical Definition

ovarian

adjective
ovar·​i·​an ō-ˈvar-ē-ən, -ˈver- How to pronounce ovarian (audio)
variants also ovarial
-ē-əl How to pronounce ovarian (audio)
: of, relating to, affecting, or involving an ovary
ovarian functions
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