metaphase

American  

[met-uh-feyz] / ˈmɛt əˌfeɪz /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. the stage in mitosis or meiosis in which the duplicated chromosomes line up along the equatorial plate of the spindle.

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metaphase British  

/ ˈmɛtəˌfeɪz /

noun

1. biology the second stage of mitosis during which the condensed chromosomes attach to the centre of the spindle See also prophase anaphase telophase

2. the corresponding stage of the first division of meiosis

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metaphase Scientific  

/ mĕt′ə-fāz′ /

1. The stage of cell division in which the duplicated chromosomes become aligned along the center of the cell, called the equatorial plate or metaphase plate. Metaphase lasts up to an hour, and ends in mitosis and the second division of meiosis when separation of the paired chromosomal strands (called chromatids) begins. In the first division of meiosis, the paired chromosomes separate from one another. Metaphase is preceded by prophase and followed by anaphase.

2. See more at meiosis mitosis

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Etymology

Origin of metaphase

First recorded in 1885–90; meta- + phase

Example Sentences

For almost twenty years, textbooks described CENP-E as a motor that pulled chromosomes to the metaphase plate.

From Science Daily • Dec. 10, 2025

The meiotic division is arrested in metaphase II. Fertilization triggers completion of the second meiotic division and the result is one ovum and an additional polar body.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The cell becomes visibly elongated as the non-kinetochore microtubules slide against each other at the metaphase plate where they overlap.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Sister chromatids line up at the metaphase plate.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Figure 145 shows the usual appearance of the other chromosomes in metaphase.

From Studies in Spermatogenesis Part I by Stevens, Nettie Maria