What does the word gametes mean in science terms?

Gametes are haploid cells containing half of the genetic material commonly found in a given human cell. i.e. A normal human cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 chromosomes)... gamete cells e.g. sperm and egg cells contain only 23 chromosomes and are therefore haploid, when fertilisation occurs, the 2 cells join creating a diploid cell with a full set of genetic material... excluding conditions such as Down's Syndrome.