noun. The stage of mitosis and meiosis, following prophase and preceding anaphase, during which the chromosomes are aligned along the metaphase plate.

noun. In cytology, the second or middle stage of karyokinetic cell-division, or mitosis, in which the chromosomes are collected to form the equatorial plate of the spindle and undergo longitudinal fission. Compare anaphase and telophase.

noun. the stage of mitosis and meiosis, that follows prophase and comes before anaphase, during which condensed chromosomes become aligned before being separated

noun. the second stage of meiosis

noun. the second stage of mitosis

"- Perhaps the most recognizable phase of mitosis is termed metaphase, a stage where the chromosomes, attached to the kinetochore microtubules, begin to align in a single plane (known as the metaphase plate) midway between the spindle poles (see Figure 1 (c))."

phase of cell division