metaphase

[ met-uh-feyz ]

/ ˈmɛt əˌfeɪz /

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noun Cell Biology.

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

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Origin of metaphase

First recorded in 1885–90; meta- + phase

Words nearby metaphase

Metanira, metanitrophenol, metanoia, metapelet, metaph., metaphase, metaphase plate, Metaphen, metaphor, metaphorical, metaphorically

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use metaphase in a sentence

Diploid (2n) chromosome numbers were determined from cells in late prophase and metaphase of mitosis.
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca|William E. Duellman
Haploid (n) chromosome numbers were determined from cells in diakinesis, metaphase I, and metaphase II of meiosis.
Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Smilisca|William E. Duellman
Figure 29 is the equatorial plate of a metaphase in which the larger component of the unequal pair has been removed in sectioning.
Studies in Spermatogenesis|Nettie Maria Stevens
Figure 260 shows a side view of the second spindle in metaphase, and figure 261 in anaphase.
Studies in Spermatogenesis|Nettie Maria Stevens

Figures 50 and 51 show polar views of the metaphase, the smaller element (x) being the unequal pair.
Studies in Spermatogenesis|Nettie Maria Stevens

British Dictionary definitions for metaphase

metaphase

/ (ˈmɛtəˌfeɪz) /

noun

biology the second stage of mitosis during which the condensed chromosomes attach to the centre of the spindleSee also prophase (def. 1), anaphase (def. 1), telophase (def. 1)

the corresponding stage of the first division of meiosis

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for metaphase

metaphase

[ mĕt′ə-fāz′ ]

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. See more at meiosis mitosis.