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

Magee, then at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus, and his students Grienberger and Katie Bittner were looking to observe the behavior of neurons’ arms, called dendrites, in a living animal. —Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026

Instead, the team concluded that hydrostatic pressure inside the dendrite creates enough tensile stress to fracture the electrolyte. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026

These thorns, known as dendrites, have been difficult to study and understand – until now. —New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2026

The drug not only bolstered dendrites but also improved the rats’ behaviors. —Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1728, 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