cerebellum

noun

cer·​e·​bel·​lum ˌser-ə-ˈbe-ləm How to pronounce cerebellum (audio)
ˌse-rə-
plural cerebellums or cerebella ˌser-ə-ˈbe-lə How to pronounce cerebellum (audio)
ˌse-rə-
: a large dorsally projecting part of the brain concerned especially with the coordination of muscles and the maintenance of bodily equilibrium, situated between the brain stem and the back of the cerebrum, and formed in humans of two lateral lobes and a median lobe see brain illustration
cerebellar adjective

Examples of cerebellum 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.
On March 1, the 20-year-old daughter of Michael Strahan appeared on the Beyond the Battlefront podcast and opened up about receiving her diagnosis and undergoing emergency surgery to remove a large medulloblastoma — a type of malignant tumor — in her cerebellum in October 2023. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025 Isabella announced that she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a common malignant tumor that arises in the cerebellum, a part of the brain located at the base of the skull in a joint interview with Michael, 52, on his show Good Morning America in January. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024 In October 2023, Isabella underwent emergency surgery to remove a large medulloblastoma — a type of malignant tumor — in her cerebellum. Liza Esquibias, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025 That’s when doctors discovered a 4-centimeter tumor in her cerebellum. Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cerebellum

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin, diminutive of cerebrum

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cerebellum was in 1543

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Cite this Entry

“Cerebellum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cerebellum. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

cerebellum

noun
cer·​e·​bel·​lum ˌser-ə-ˈbel-əm How to pronounce cerebellum (audio)
plural cerebellums or cerebella -ˈbel-ə How to pronounce cerebellum (audio)
: a large portion of the back part of the brain that is concerned especially with the action of groups of muscles and with bodily balance

Medical Definition

cerebellum

noun
cer·​e·​bel·​lum ˌser-ə-ˈbel-əm How to pronounce cerebellum (audio)
plural cerebellums or cerebella -ˈbel-ə How to pronounce cerebellum (audio)
: a large dorsally projecting part of the brain concerned especially with the coordination of muscles and the maintenance of bodily equilibrium, situated between the brain stem and the back of the cerebrum and formed in humans of two lateral lobes and a median lobe

More from Merriam-Webster on cerebellum

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