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

In high doses, etizolam can cause severe central nervous system depression, potentially leading to unconsciousness, respiratory failure and death. —Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026

The progressive disease damages the protective cover around nerves called myelin in your central nervous system, according to the Cleveland Clinic. —Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026

And gabapentin becomes dangerous when combined with other central nervous system depressants such as opioids, benzodiazepines or alcohol. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026

Because the retina is an extension of the central nervous system, these changes mirror pathological processes occurring in the brain. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Jan. 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