nerve ending

noun

: a structure forming the distal end of a nerve axon see neuron illustration

Examples of nerve ending in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Each whisker is packed with sensitive nerve endings at its base that detect tiny deflections, vibrations, and pressure changes when brushing against surfaces. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

Gillian remains the franchise’s sensitive nerve ending, with Kidman splashing her sparkly charisma across every frame. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

The presence of several million nerve endings suggests that narwhals may be able to sense temperature or salinity changes in the water with their tusks. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026

Pain-sensitive nerve endings surrounding the palate’s blood vessels activate branches of the trigeminal nerve, the major cranial nerve that carries sensory information about pain, touch, and temperature from the face and head to the brain. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nerve ending

• apprehending
• comprehending
• condescending
• overspending
• recommending
• unoffending
• unpretending
• amending
• appending
• ascending
• attending
• befriending

Kids Definition

nerve ending

noun

: a structure forming an end of a nerve axon that is distant from the cell body

Medical Definition

nerve ending

noun

: the structure in which the distal end of the axon of a nerve fiber terminates

called also nerve end