centromere

[ sen-truh-meer ]
/ ˈsɛn trəˌmɪər /

noun Cell Biology.

a specialized structure on the chromosome, appearing during cell division as the constricted central region where the two chromatids are held together and form an X shape.

Origin of centromere

First recorded in 1920–25; centro- + -mere

OTHER WORDS FROM centromere

cen·tro·mer·ic [sen-truh-mer-ik, -meer-] /ˌsɛn trəˈmɛr ɪk, -ˈmɪər-/, adjective

Words nearby centromere

centroid, centrokinesia, centrolecithal, centrolinead, centromedian nucleus, centromere, centromere banding stain, centronuclear myopathy, centrosome, centrosphere, centrostaltic

British Dictionary definitions for centromere

centromere
/ (ˈsɛntrəˌmɪə) /

noun

the dense nonstaining region of a chromosome that attaches it to the spindle during mitosis

Derived forms of centromere

centromeric (ˌsɛntrəˈmɛrɪk, -ˈmɪərɪk), adjective

Medical definitions for centromere

centromere
[ sĕn′trə-mîr′ ]

n.

The most condensed and constricted region of a chromosome to which the spindle fiber is attached during mitosis. kinetochore

Scientific definitions for centromere

centromere
[ sĕn′trə-mîr′ ]

The region of the chromosome to which the spindle fiber is attached during cell division (both mitosis and meiosis). The centromere is the constricted point at which the two chromatids forming the chromosome are joined together. See more at meiosis mitosis.