cerebellum

American  

[ser-uh-bel-uhm] / ˌsɛr əˈbɛl əm /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

plural

cerebellums, cerebella

1. a large portion of the brain, serving to coordinate voluntary movements, posture, and balance in humans, being in back of and below the cerebrum and consisting of two lateral lobes and a central lobe.

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cerebellum British  

/ ˌsɛrɪˈbɛləm /

noun

1. one of the major divisions of the vertebrate brain, situated in man above the medulla oblongata and beneath the cerebrum, whose function is coordination of voluntary movements and maintenance of bodily equilibrium

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cerebellum Scientific  

/ sĕr′ə-bĕl′əm /

plural

cerebellums

1. The part of the vertebrate brain that is located below the cerebrum at the rear of the skull and that coordinates balance and muscle activity. In mammals, the cerebellum is made up of two connecting hemispheres that consist of a core of white matter surrounded by gray matter.

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cerebellum Cultural  

1. The part of the brain that helps control muscle coordination.

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Other Word Forms

• cerebellar adjective
• postcerebellar adjective
• precerebellar adjective
• subcerebellar adjective
• supercerebellar adjective

Etymology

Origin of cerebellum

1555–65; < Latin: brain, diminutive of cerebrum; cerebrum; for formation, castellum

Compare meaning

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

• cerebrum vs. cerebellum

Explanation

If you’re a professional juggler, you can thank your cerebellum for your great coordination. The cerebellum is the part of your brain that handles motor control. The word cerebellum entered English in the 16th century from the Latin word of the same name, meaning "little brain." The cerebellum is located at the base of the brain, near the back of your head. It looks like a separate structure stuck onto the rest of your brain — so in a sense, it’s like a “little brain.” In addition to motor control, the cerebellum is responsible for balance and muscle tone.

Example Sentences

Over time, these symptoms often intensify as healthy tissue in the cerebellum is gradually lost.

From Science Daily • Jan. 6, 2026

In MS and related neurological diseases, damage to the cerebellum often leads to the gradual death of Purkinje cells.

From Science Daily • Jan. 6, 2026

Duan found that these neurons guide the formation of a similar network of blood vessels in the cerebellum, a part of the brain that is involved in coordination, language, and sense perception.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2024

Brain scans of speed skaters have provided more hints about the cerebellum.

From New York Times • Mar. 27, 2024

In comparison with reptiles the cerebellum of birds shows high development.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 7 "Bible" to "Bisectrix" by Various

Related Words

• head
• intellect
• mind