centromere

noun

cen·​tro·​mere ˈsen-trə-ˌmir How to pronounce centromere (audio)
: the point or region on a chromosome to which the spindle (see spindle entry 1 sense 2) attaches during mitosis and meiosis
centromeric
ˌsen-trə-ˈmir-ik How to pronounce centromere (audio) -ˈmer- How to pronounce centromere (audio)
adjective

Examples of centromere 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.
Altemose plans on using the complete genome to explore a particularly mysterious region in each chromosome known as the centromere. — Carl Zimmer New York Times, Star Tribune, 24 July 2021 Adam Phillippy and his team at NHGRI deserve special credit for their focused work to resolve the sequences of the ribosomal DNA arrays on each of the five acrocentric chromosomes, where the centromere is much closer to one end than to the center. — Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2021

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of centromere was in 1936

Rhymes for centromere

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“Centromere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centromere. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

centromere

noun
cen·​tro·​mere ˈsen-trə-ˌmi(ə)r How to pronounce centromere (audio)
: the point on a chromosome to which the spindle attaches during cell division

Medical Definition

centromere

noun
cen·​tro·​mere ˈsen-trə-ˌmi(ə)r How to pronounce centromere (audio)
: the point or region on a chromosome to which the spindle attaches during mitosis and meiosis

called also kinetochore

centromeric
ˌsen-trə-ˈmi(ə)r-ik How to pronounce centromere (audio) -ˈmer- How to pronounce centromere (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on centromere

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about centromere

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