noun ·Uncommon ·College level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   Part of the hindbrain in vertebrates. In humans it lies between the brainstem and the back of the cerebrum and is formed of two lateral lobes and a median lobe. It plays an important role in sensory perception, motor output, balance and posture.

   "Although the cerebellum occupies just 10 per cent of the cranial cavity, it has more than half the brain’s neurons."

2. 2
   a major division of the vertebrate brain; situated above the medulla oblongata and beneath the cerebrum in humans wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

arachnoidarbor vitaearchipalliumbetween brainbrain stemcerebellar hemispheres

Example

More examples

"Central nervous system consists of brain, cerebellum, medulla oblongata and spinal cord."

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin cerebellum, diminutive of cerebrum.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.