'sperm-activated' originates from Greek and Latin elements: the Greek word 'sperma', where 'sperma' meant 'seed', and the Latin word 'activare', where 'activ-' meant 'active'.

'sperm' entered English from Greek 'sperma' (via Late Latin), and 'activate' came from Latin 'activare' (via Old French activer); the compound adjective 'sperm-activated' was formed in modern English scientific usage, particularly in 20th-century biology.

Initially, the elements meant 'seed' and 'to make active'; over time the compound evolved to mean specifically 'made active by sperm' in reproductive biology contexts.