The word male has the following meanings:

• In biology, it refers to one half of a heterogamous reproduction system, where the female is the other half. The male sex comprises those organisms that produce sperm cells (which is defined as the smaller gamete). Male and female designate reproductive structures in plants, so the concept is not limited to animals. It should be noted that there is no single genetic mechanism behind maleness in different species, thus it is defined in terms of outer forms.
• In the social sciences, it may refer to the male gender role to which men in most human cultures are expected to conform. See the main article on Man for more information about male humans.
• In hardware and electronics, a male connector is a component, such as a plug, which is designed to be inserted into a corresponding female component. See Gender of connectors and fasteners and gender changer.

In addition:

• A common symbol used to represent the male gender is ♂. This symbol also represents the planet Mars_(planet) and is a stylized representation of the god Mars' shield and spear: a circle with a small arrow pointing out from behind it (Unicode: ♂).

• The city of Malé is the capital of Maldives on Malé Island in the Malé Atoll .