1888, back-formation from ovulation. Related: Ovulated; ovulating.
ovulate o·vu·late (ō'vyə-lāt', ŏv'yə-)
v. o·vu·lat·ed, o·vu·lat·ing, o·vu·lates
To produce ova; discharge eggs from the ovary.
ovulation o·vu·la·tion (ō'vyə-lā'shən, ŏv'yə-)
n.
The discharge of an ovum from the ovary.
The periodic release of an ovum from the ovaries (usually from only one ovary). After the ovum is released, it travels into the fallopian tube, and from there is moved to the uterus. Ovulation generally happens approximately two weeks into the menstrual cycle.
release of a mature egg from the female ovary; the release enables the egg to be fertilized by the male sperm cells. Normally, in humans, only one egg is released at one time; occasionally, two or more erupt during the menstrual cycle. The egg erupts from the ovary on the 14th to 16th day of the approximately 28-day menstrual cycle. If not fertilized, the egg is passed from the reproductive tract during menstrual bleeding, which starts about two weeks after ovulation. Occasionally, cycles occur in which an egg is not released; these are called anovulatory cycles.