Meaning & use

centromere

noun·Advanced

The region of a chromosome where the two sister chromatids join and spindle fibers attach during cell division.

See it in a sentence

The centromere ensures that chromosomes separate evenly when a cell divides.

Under the microscope, the centromere appeared as a pinched, narrow section of the chromosome.

A note on using this word

The centromere's position on a chromosome, whether central or off-center, helps scientists classify chromosome types.

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “centromere”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.