pronucleus

[ proh-noo-klee-uh s, -nyoo- ]

/ proʊˈnu kli əs, -ˈnyu- /

noun, plural pro·nu·cle·i [proh-noo-klee-ahy, -nyoo-] /proʊˈnu kliˌaɪ, -ˈnyu-/. Cell Biology.

either of the gametic nuclei that unite in fertilization to form the nucleus of the zygote.

Nearby words

pronounce, pronounced, pronouncement, pronto, pronuclear, pronucleus, pronuke, pronunciamento, pronunciation, pronunciation spelling, prony brake

Origin of pronucleus

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at pro-¹, nucleus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for pronucleus

pronucleus

/ (ˌprəʊˈnjuːklɪəs) /

noun plural -clei (-klɪˌaɪ)

the nucleus of a mature ovum or spermatozoan before fertilization

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

Medicine definitions for pronucleus

pronucleus

[ prō-nōō′klē-əs ]

n.

One of two nuclei undergoing fusion in karyogamy.

The haploid nucleus of a sperm or egg before fusion of the nuclei in fertilization.