motor neuron

noun

: a neuron that passes from the central nervous system or a ganglion toward a muscle and conducts an impulse that causes movement

called also motoneuron

Examples of motor neuron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Keith Wood, former manager of LCD Soundsystem and co-founder and longtime head of Caroline Records, died Wednesday after a long struggle with ALS (motor neuron disease), according to a social media post from his family. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026

He was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in February 2023. —Francie Ebert, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026

Patrick died in the Northern Ireland Hospice after a three-year battle with motor neuron disease, a rare neurodegenerative disorder, his wife Naomi Sheehan posted on Instagram Wednesday, April 8. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026

His girlfriend, Alex Ross, encouraged him to see a neurologist, and in July 2024, he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND). —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for motor neuron

• agamemnon
• automaton
• diencephalon
• panopticon
• phenomenon
• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon

Kids Definition

motor neuron

noun

: a neuron that passes from the central nervous system or a ganglion toward or to a muscle and carries a nerve impulse that causes movement compare sensory neuron

Medical Definition

motor neuron

noun

: a neuron that passes from the central nervous system or a ganglion toward or to a muscle and conducts a nerve impulse that causes movement

called also motoneuron

compare interneuron, sensory neuron