cell division

American  

noun

Biology.

1. the division of a cell in reproduction or growth.

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cell division British  

noun

1. cytology the division of a cell into two new cells during growth or reproduction See amitosis meiosis mitosis

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cell division Scientific  

1. The process by which a cell divides into two or more cells. Among prokaryotes, cell division occurs by simple fission. Among eukaryotes, the cell nucleus divides first, and then a new cell membrane is formed between the nuclei to form the new cell. Cell division is used as a means of reproduction in organisms that reproduce asexually, as by fission or spore formation, and sexually reproducing organisms form gametes through cell division. Cell division is also the source of tissue growth and repair in multicellular organisms. The two types of cell division in eukaryotic organisms are mitosis and meiosis.

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Etymology

Origin of cell division

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cell division

The Y chromosome is especially vulnerable during cell division.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 20, 2026

In some cases, illness or tissue repair may lead to increased cell division, which could raise the chance of losing the chromosome.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 20, 2026

This work introduces a new framework for understanding cell division in large, yolk rich embryos and could apply to many egg laying species.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 28, 2026

Chromothripsis begins when errors during cell division trap individual chromosomes inside small, fragile compartments known as micronuclei.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 16, 2026

We’re studying cell division right now, so for Halloween he dressed up as meiosis.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller