axon

noun

ax·​on ˈak-ˌsän How to pronounce axon (audio)
variants or less commonly axone
: a usually long and single nerve-cell process that usually conducts impulses away from the cell body see neuron illustration

Examples of axon 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.
When a neuron fires, an electrochemical spike travels down the neuron’s axon and crosses synapses to other neurons. IEEE Spectrum, 2 June 2017 Fascinatingly, a neuron’s cell body can measure a tenth of a millimeter across, while its axons can stretch more than 3 feet in length, as in the leg’s sciatic nerve. Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2024 Nerves, in turn, are made up of bundles of axons, the individual filaments that transmit signals throughout the body. Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2024 Prevailing Idea: Electric Pulse In the conventional view, a nerve signal is transmitted in the membrane that makes up the axon’s outer wall. Douglas Fox, Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2018 See all Example Sentences for axon 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin axon, from Greek axōn

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of axon was in 1895

Dictionary Entries Near axon

Cite this Entry

“Axon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/axon. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

axon

noun
ax·​on ˈak-ˌsän How to pronounce axon (audio)
variants also axone
: a usually long and single process of a neuron that usually carries impulses away from the cell body compare dendrite sense 2
axonal
ˈak-sən-ᵊl How to pronounce axon (audio)
ak-ˈsän-
-ˈsōn-
adjective

Medical Definition

axon

noun
ax·​on ˈak-ˌsän How to pronounce axon (audio)
variants also axone
: a usually long and single nerve-cell process that usually conducts impulses away from the cell body

More from Merriam-Webster on axon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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