dendrite

noun

den·​drite ˈden-ˌdrīt 

1

: a branching treelike figure produced on or in a mineral by a foreign mineral

also : the mineral so marked

2

: a crystallized arborescent form

3

: any of the usually branching protoplasmic processes that conduct impulses toward the body of a neuron see neuron illustration

Examples of dendrite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, some inhibitory cells prefer to send signals to another neuron’s little branches called dendrites, while others send signals to a neuron’s cell body. —Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025

Water molecules in the electrolyte tend to decompose, and zinc deposits unevenly, forming dendrites that can cause short circuits. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025

In living brains, dendrites spot patterns, filter out noise and trigger local spikes that shape how the neuron fires. —Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Gray matter contains short projections called dendrites that help neurons receive signals. —New Atlas, 29 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dendrite

• acquit
• admit
• amrit
• armpit
• backlit
• befit
• cockpit
• commit
• dalit
• emit
• illite
• misfit

Kids Definition

dendrite

noun

den·​drite ˈden-ˌdrīt 

1

: a branching figure (as in a mineral or stone) resembling a tree

2

: any of the usually branching extensions of a neuron over which impulses travel toward the cell body compare axon

dendritic

den-ˈdrit-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

dendrite

noun

den·​drite ˈden-ˌdrīt 

: any of the usually branching protoplasmic processes that conduct impulses toward the body of a nerve cell

dendritic

den-ˈdrit-ik 

adjective