central nervous system

noun

: the part of the nervous system which in vertebrates consists of the brain and spinal cord, to which sensory impulses are transmitted and from which motor impulses pass out, and which coordinates the activity of the entire nervous system compare peripheral nervous system

Examples of central nervous system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For both air breathers and water breathers, many chemicals in crude oil target the heart and respiratory function, the immune system, the sensory system and the central nervous system. —Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026

When the immune system is activated against myelin, um, the immune cells go from the blood, cross the blood brain barrier, go into the central nervous system, and cause demyelinating injury. —Marcy Thompson, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2026

This stage, while more serious, can affect the central nervous system and the heart, Wu said. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026

Parkinson’s is a movement disorder that affects the central nervous system and worsens over time, per the Mayo Clinic. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for central nervous system

• cryptosystem
• ecosystem
• intersystem
• multisystem
• photosystem
• subsystem

Kids Definition

central nervous system

noun

: the part of the nervous system that in vertebrates consists of the brain and spinal cord

Medical Definition

central nervous system

noun

: the part of the nervous system which in vertebrates consists of the brain and spinal cord, to which sensory impulses are transmitted and from which motor impulses pass out, and which supervises and coordinates the activity of the entire nervous system compare autonomic nervous system, peripheral nervous system