meiosis

noun

mei·o·sis | \ mī-ˈō-səs

Definition of meiosis

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

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from meiosis Example Sentences Learn More About meiosis

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from meiosis

meiotic \ mī-ˈä-tik

\ adjective

meiotically \ mī-ˈä-ti-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Examples of meiosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And rearrangements are typically not advantageous: During meiosis and the formation of gametes, all chromosomes need to pair up with a matching partner. — Quanta Magazine, 2 Feb. 2022 In automixis, small cells called polar bodies – also produced through meiosis with eggs – can merge with an egg to produce offspring and create offspring that are similar to the mother but not exact clones. — Julia Musto, Fox News, 20 Aug. 2021 Ovaries produce eggs through a complex process called meiosis, where the cells replicate, reorganize, and separate. — Corryn Wetzel, National Geographic, 25 Aug. 2020 At the heart of this transaction is a process called meiosis, where chromosomes inherited from each parent pair up and swap pieces. — Quanta Magazine, 19 Nov. 2014 Most animals have chromosomes made of two nearly identical copies of each gene, a consequence of the pairing and mixing that goes on during meiosis. — Quanta Magazine, 19 Nov. 2014 Recombination is a process in which the maternal and paternal copies of chromosomes exchange blocks of DNA with each other during meiosis, the production of sperm and egg cells. — Quanta Magazine, 8 Nov. 2018 The experiment did not work in males, likely because spermatogonia go through normal mitotic cell division before meiosis, stymying HDR. — Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, 10 July 2018 The chromosomes naturally swap DNA during meiosis, and during those exchanges the cell only allows HDR. — Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, 10 July 2018 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'meiosis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More About meiosis

Dictionary Entries Near meiosis

meiophylly

meiosis

meiotaxy

Statistics for meiosis

Cite this Entry

“Meiosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meiosis. Accessed 26 May. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for meiosis

meiosis

noun

mei·o·sis | \ mī-ˈō-səs

plural meioses\ -ˌsēz

Medical Definition of meiosis

: 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

Other Words from meiosis

meiotic \ mī-ˈät-ik

\ adjective

meiotically \ -i-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb