meiosis

noun

mei·​o·​sis mī-ˈō-səs How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
1
: the presentation of a thing with underemphasis especially in order to achieve a greater effect : understatement
2
: the cellular process that results in the number of chromosomes in gamete-producing cells being reduced to one half and that involves a reduction division in which one of each pair of homologous chromosomes passes to each daughter cell and a mitotic division compare mitosis
meiotic adjective
meiotically adverb

Examples of meiosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In meiosis, a cell also divides into two halves, but these halves each have 23 chromosomes. Krissi Danielsson, Parents, 30 July 2024 That division, called meiosis, results in the egg, which can eventually be fertilized by a sperm, and three extra cells called polar bodies. Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 18 Feb. 2024 Surprisingly, the granulosa cells decide when meiosis can be completed. John Travis, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 Only immediately before ovulation do the granulosa cells release their restraints and let meiosis run its full course. John Travis, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 The last major step in the development of an oocyte in its follicle is to complete a genetic shuffle known as meiosis. John Travis, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 In mice exposed to BPA and its replacements, sperm had fewer numbers of the proteins that allow chromosomes to complete meiosis, the cell division process that gives rise to genetically distinct eggs and sperm. Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 13 Sep. 2018 The lab is also trying to figure out how to get eggs to enter a special form of cell division called meiosis that prepares them for being fertilized. Ryan Cross, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Mar. 2023 The process of meiosis, the delicate dance of DNA twisting and untwisting with its supporting cast of proteins and other molecules, neatly separates each pair of chromosomes and allocates them efficiently to the nuclei of the primordial germ cells. Mark Cohen, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2014

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meiosis.' 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

New Latin, from Greek meiōsis diminution, from meioun to diminish, from meiōn less; akin to Sanskrit mīyate he diminishes

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of meiosis was in 1550

Dictionary Entries Near meiosis

Cite this Entry

“Meiosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meiosis. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

meiosis

noun
mei·​o·​sis mī-ˈō-səs How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
plural meioses
-ˈō-ˌsēz
: the process by which the number of chromosomes in a cell that produces sex cells is reduced to one half and that involves a reduction division in which one of each pair of homologous chromosomes passes to each daughter cell followed by a mitotic division compare mitosis sense 1
meiotic adjective
meiotically adverb

Medical Definition

meiosis

noun
mei·​o·​sis mī-ˈō-səs How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
plural meioses -ˌsēz How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
: the cellular process that results in the number of chromosomes in gamete-producing cells being reduced to one half and that involves a reduction division in which one of each pair of homologous chromosomes passes to each daughter cell and a mitotic division compare mitosis sense 1
meiotic adjective
meiotically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on meiosis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!