basal body

noun

: a minute distinctively staining cell organelle found at the base of a flagellum or cilium and identical to a centriole in structure

called also basal granule, kinetosome

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of basal body was in 1888

Dictionary Entries Near basal body

Cite this Entry

“Basal body.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basal%20body. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

basal body

noun
: a minute distinctively staining cell organelle found at the base of a flagellum or cilium and resembling a centriole in structure

called also basal granule, kinetosome

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!