centrosome

noun

cen·​tro·​some ˈsen-trə-ˌsōm 

1

: centriole

2

: the centriole-containing region of clear cytoplasm adjacent to the cell nucleus

Examples of centrosome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During the cell cycle, centrosomes double in size, split into two, then move to opposite sides of the cell. —Trevor Grandpre, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2024

Then each centrosome sends a cascade of delicate fibers toward the center of the nucleus, where the chromosomes have already copied themselves and paired off in an orderly manner. —Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2012

Clearly the centrosome, which shuttles around chromosomes like a chaperone on a school field trip, is important to cell division. —Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2012

The story should stop there, because the virus needs a special key to move past the centrosome. —USA Today, 23 May 2022

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for centrosome

• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb
• chromosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• honeycomb
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome
• monochrome

Kids Definition

centrosome

noun

cen·​tro·​some ˈsen-trə-ˌsōm 

1

: centriole

2

: the region of a cell that is located next to the nucleus and contains the centrioles

Medical Definition

centrosome

noun

cen·​tro·​some ˈsen-trə-ˌsōm 

1

: centriole

2

: the centriole-containing region of clear cytoplasm adjacent to the cell nucleus

centrosomic

ˌsen-trə-ˈsō-mik 

adjective