metaphase

[ met-uh-feyz ]
/ ˈmɛt əˌfeɪz /

noun Cell Biology.

the stage in mitosis or meiosis in which the duplicated chromosomes line up along the equatorial plate of the spindle.

Origin of metaphase

First recorded in 1885–90; meta- + phase

Words nearby metaphase

metanira, metanitrophenol, metanoia, metapelet, metaph., metaphase, metaphase plate, metaphen, metaphor, metaphosphate, metaphosphoric acid

Example sentences from the Web for metaphase

British Dictionary definitions for metaphase

metaphase
/ (ˈmɛtəˌfeɪz) /

noun

biology the second stage of mitosis during which the condensed chromosomes attach to the centre of the spindle See also prophase (def. 1), anaphase (def. 1), telophase (def. 1)
the corresponding stage of the first division of meiosis

Medical definitions for metaphase

metaphase
[ mĕt′ə-fāz′ ]

n.

The stage of mitosis and meiosis, following prophase and preceding anaphase, during which the chromosomes are aligned along the metaphase plate.

Scientific definitions for metaphase

metaphase
[ mĕt′ə-fāz′ ]

The stage of cell division in which the duplicated chromosomes become aligned along the center of the cell, called the equatorial plate or metaphase plate. Metaphase lasts up to an hour, and ends in mitosis and the second division of meiosis when separation of the paired chromosomal strands (called chromatids) begins. In the first division of meiosis, the paired chromosomes separate from one another. Metaphase is preceded by prophase and followed by anaphase. See more at meiosis mitosis.