centromere

American  

[sen-truh-meer] / ˈsɛn trəˌmɪər /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. a specialized structure on the chromosome, appearing during cell division as the constricted central region where the two chromatids are held together and form an X shape.

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centromere British  

/ ˌsɛntrəˈmɛrɪk, ˈsɛntrəˌmɪə, -ˈmɪərɪk /

noun

1. the dense nonstaining region of a chromosome that attaches it to the spindle during mitosis

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centromere Scientific  

/ sĕn′trə-mîr′ /

1. The region of the chromosome to which the spindle fiber is attached during cell division (both mitosis and meiosis). The centromere is the constricted point at which the two chromatids forming the chromosome are joined together.

2. See more at meiosis mitosis

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• centromeric
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of centromere

First recorded in 1920–25; centro- + -mere

Compare meaning

How does centromere compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• centrosome vs. centromere