meiosis

noun

mei·​o·​sis mī-ˈō-səs 

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

mī-ˈä-tik 

adjective

meiotically

mī-ˈä-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of meiosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

My sons’ high-school biology classes spent more time designing a model recycling center than teaching mitosis and meiosis. —Andy Kessler, WSJ, 18 Sep. 2022

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

Kids Definition

meiosis

noun

mei·​o·​sis mī-ˈō-səs 

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

mī-ˈät-ik 

adjective

meiotically

-ˈät-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

meiosis

noun

mei·​o·​sis mī-ˈō-səs 

plural meioses -ˌsēz 

: 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

mī-ˈät-ik 

adjective

meiotically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb