nervous system

noun

: the bodily system that in vertebrates is made up of the brain and spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, and parts of the receptor organs and that receives and interprets stimuli and transmits impulses to the effector organs see autonomic nervous system, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system

Examples of nervous system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When a roach walks through an area treated with boric acid, the dust clings to its body, later attacking its nervous system when ingested. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2024

Using magnetic brain stimulation and electrical stimulation of the muscles, the researchers were able to tease out how much the brain and nervous system were contributing compared to the muscles themselves. —Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 28 Oct. 2024

The virus only affects the nervous system 1% of the time and is rarely fatal. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 9 Oct. 2024

The company continues to focus on advancing its medical device technologies for sensing and treating disorders related to the nervous system, with initial development efforts targeting pancreatic cancer. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

nervous system

noun

: the bodily system that receives stimuli, decides on their importance, and sends nerve impulses to the organs of action and that in vertebrates is made up of brain and spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, and parts of the receptor organs

Medical Definition

nervous system

noun

: the bodily system that in vertebrates is made up of the brain and spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, and parts of the receptor organs and that receives and interprets stimuli and transmits impulses to the effector organs see autonomic nervous system, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system