nerve net

noun

: a network of neurons apparently continuous with one another and conducting impulses in all directions
also : a primitive nervous system (as in a jellyfish) consisting of such a network

Examples of nerve net in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Again, these groups are apparently more closely related to us than comb jellies, which have nerve nets and muscle cells. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 17 May 2023 To find out how this was controlled, the researchers dissected the central core of the jellyfish, which contains its digestive organs, and the bell, which contains much of the animal's nerve net. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 6 Apr. 2023 Many cnidarians have sections of the nerve net with higher concentrations of neurons, but these don't seem to have been associated with any specific functions. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 22 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nerve net.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nerve net was in 1904

Dictionary Entries Near nerve net

Cite this Entry

“Nerve net.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerve%20net. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

nerve net

noun
: a network of neurons that seem to be continuous one with another and carry impulses in all directions
also : a nervous system (as in a jellyfish) consisting of such a network

More from Merriam-Webster on nerve net

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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