cerebellum

noun

cer·​e·​bel·​lum ˌser-ə-ˈbe-ləm How to pronounce cerebellum (audio)
ˌse-rə-
plural cerebellums or cerebella ˌser-ə-ˈbe-lə How to pronounce cerebellum (audio)
ˌse-rə-
: a large dorsally projecting part of the brain concerned especially with the coordination of muscles and the maintenance of bodily equilibrium, situated between the brain stem and the back of the cerebrum, and formed in humans of two lateral lobes and a median lobe see brain illustration
cerebellar adjective

Examples of cerebellum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Isabella was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor that affects the cerebellum, which is involved in muscle coordination, balance and movement, according to the Mayo Clinic. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024 There is no question that the cerebellum has this function. Rebecca Boyle, Quanta Magazine, 24 Jan. 2024 Overall, there were at least 27 brains, including the cerebellum, taken from Filipinos. Nicole Dungca and Claire Healy, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2023 Medulloblastomas most commonly form in the cerebellum, the bottom part of the brain located at the back of the skull. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 12 Jan. 2024 Records suggest that her cerebellum was taken by Hrdlicka in an autopsy for his collection of human brains at the Smithsonian. Nicole Dungca and Claire Healy, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2023 The explanation of how the cerebellum worked seemed watertight. Rebecca Boyle, Quanta Magazine, 24 Jan. 2024 The Mayo Clinic defines medulloblastoma as a malignant brain tumor that affects the cerebellum, which is involved in muscle coordination, balance and movement. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2024 These tumors often appear in the cerebellum—the part of the brain located in the back of the head—and usually form in fetal cells that remain in the brain after a person is born.2 One of the major concerns with medulloblastoma is that the tumor can grow and spread very quickly. Julia Landwehr, Health, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cerebellum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin, diminutive of cerebrum

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cerebellum was in 1543

Dictionary Entries Near cerebellum

Cite this Entry

“Cerebellum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cerebellum. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cerebellum

noun
cer·​e·​bel·​lum ˌser-ə-ˈbel-əm How to pronounce cerebellum (audio)
plural cerebellums or cerebella -ˈbel-ə How to pronounce cerebellum (audio)
: a large portion of the back part of the brain that is concerned especially with the action of groups of muscles and with bodily balance

Medical Definition

cerebellum

noun
cer·​e·​bel·​lum ˌser-ə-ˈbel-əm How to pronounce cerebellum (audio)
plural cerebellums or cerebella -ˈbel-ə How to pronounce cerebellum (audio)
: a large dorsally projecting part of the brain concerned especially with the coordination of muscles and the maintenance of bodily equilibrium, situated between the brain stem and the back of the cerebrum and formed in humans of two lateral lobes and a median lobe

More from Merriam-Webster on cerebellum

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