# prophase

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. The first stage of mitosis, during which chromatin condenses to form the chromosomes.
2. The first stage of meiosis.

## Etymology
From pro- + phase.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/prophase