nucleus

noun

nu·​cle·​us ˈnü-klē-əs 

ˈnyü-

plural nuclei ˈnü-klē-ˌī 

ˈnyü-

also nucleuses

1

a

: the small bright body in the head of a comet

b

: the small brighter and denser portion of a galaxy (see galaxy sense 1b)

2

: a central point, group, or mass about which gathering, concentration, or accretion takes place: such as

a

: a cellular organelle of eukaryotes that is essential to cell functions (such as reproduction and protein synthesis), is composed of nucleoplasm and a nucleoprotein-rich network from which chromosomes and nucleoli arise, and is enclosed in a definite membrane see cell illustration

b

: a mass of gray matter or group of cell bodies of neurons in the central nervous system

c

: a characteristic and stable complex of atoms or groups in a molecule (see molecule sense 1)

especially : ring

the naphthalene nucleus

d

: the positively charged central portion of an atom that comprises nearly all of the atomic mass and that consists of protons and usually neutrons

3

: the peak of sonority in the utterance of a syllable

4

: a basic or essential part : core

players who are the nucleus of the team

Synonyms of nucleus

• center
• hub
• capital
• mecca
• core
• base
• heart

Examples of nucleus in a Sentence

a college campus that was a nucleus of opposition to the war

the nucleus of the movement's methodology has always been passive resistance

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike conventional power generation technologies, a fusion system seeks to generate energy by fusing light atomic nuclei together, the same process that powers the Sun. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026

Increasing security cooperation between Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, and Türkiye could become the nucleus of a wider group, or just a framework for ad hoc coordination. — Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026

The others affectionately call her Head Hen and describe her as the nucleus of the group. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 30 July 2026

The hydrogenobody, like the nucleus and mitochondria, fits this description. — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, kernel, from nuc-, nux nut — more at nut

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing nucleus

• caudate nucleus
• endosperm nucleus
• generative nucleus
• polar nucleus
• sperm nucleus
• suprachiasmatic nucleus
• tube nucleus

Rhymes for nucleus

• micronucleus

Kids Definition

nucleus

noun

nu·​cle·​us ˈn(y)ü-klē-əs 

plural nuclei -klē-ˌī  also nucleuses

: a central point, group, or mass of something: as

a

: the small, brighter, and denser part of a galaxy or of the head of a comet

b

: a cell part that is characteristic of all living things with the exception of viruses, bacteria, and blue-green algae, that is necessary for heredity and for making proteins, that contains the chromosomes, and that is enclosed in a nuclear membrane

c

: a mass of gray matter or group of neurons in the central nervous system

d

: the central part of an atom that includes nearly all of the atomic mass and consists of protons and usually neutrons

Etymology

from modern Latin nucleus "the central part of something," from Latin nucleus "kernel," derived from nux "nut"

Medical Definition

nucleus

noun

nu·​cle·​us ˈn(y)ü-klē-əs 

plural nuclei -klē-ˌī  also nucleuses

1

: a cellular organelle of eukaryotes that is essential to cell functions (as reproduction and protein synthesis), is composed of nuclear sap and a nucleoprotein-rich network from which chromosomes and nucleoli arise, and is enclosed in a definite membrane

2

: a mass of gray matter or group of nerve cells in the central nervous system

3

: a characteristic and stable complex of atoms or groups in a molecule

especially : ring sense 2

the naphthalene nucleus

4

: the positively charged central portion of an atom that comprises nearly all of the atomic mass and that consists of protons and neutrons except in hydrogen which consists of one proton only