meiosis

noun

mei·​o·​sis mī-ˈō-səs How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
Synonyms of meiosisnext
1
: the presentation of a thing with underemphasis especially in order to achieve a greater effect : understatement
2
: the cellular process that results in the number of chromosomes in gamete-producing cells being reduced to one half and that involves a reduction division in which one of each pair of homologous chromosomes passes to each daughter cell and a mitotic division compare mitosis
meiotic
mī-ˈä-tik How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
adjective
meiotically
mī-ˈä-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
adverb

Examples of meiosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Typical cell division happens by either mitosis or meiosis. — Krissi Danielsson, Parents, 30 July 2024 In meiosis, a cell also divides into two halves, but these halves each have 23 chromosomes. — Krissi Danielsson, Parents, 30 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek meiōsis diminution, from meioun to diminish, from meiōn less; akin to Sanskrit mīyate he diminishes

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of meiosis was in 1550

Rhymes for meiosis

See All Rhymes for meiosis

Browse Nearby Words

meiophylly
meiosis
meiotaxy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meiosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meiosis. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

meiosis

noun
mei·​o·​sis mī-ˈō-səs How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
plural meioses
-ˈō-ˌsēz
: the process by which the number of chromosomes in a cell that produces sex cells is reduced to one half and that involves a reduction division in which one of each pair of homologous chromosomes passes to each daughter cell followed by a mitotic division compare mitosis sense 1
meiotic
mī-ˈät-ik How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
adjective
meiotically
-ˈät-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

meiosis

noun
mei·​o·​sis mī-ˈō-səs How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
plural meioses -ˌsēz How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
: the cellular process that results in the number of chromosomes in gamete-producing cells being reduced to one half and that involves a reduction division in which one of each pair of homologous chromosomes passes to each daughter cell and a mitotic division compare mitosis sense 1
meiotic
mī-ˈät-ik How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
adjective
meiotically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce meiosis (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on meiosis

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for meiosis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about meiosis

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