- 1 (physics) the part of an atom that contains most of its mass and that carries a positive electric charge see also neutron, proton Wordfinderatomantiparticle, atom, electron, ion, neutron, nucleus, particle, positron, proton, valency See related entries: Molecules and matter
- 2 (biology) the central part of some cells, containing the genetic material See related entries: Genetic engineering, Cell biology
- 3the central part of something around which other parts are located or collected These paintings will form the nucleus of a new collection. Word Originearly 18th cent.: from Latin, literally ‘kernel, inner part’, diminutive of nux, nuc- ‘nut’.
nucleus
nounBrE BrE//ˈnjuːkliəs//; NAmE NAmE//ˈnuːkliəs//
(pl. nuclei BrE BrE//ˈnjuːkliaɪ//; NAmE NAmE//ˈnuːkliaɪ//
) Molecules and matter, Genetic engineering, Cell biologyCheck pronunciation: nucleus
