nervous system

noun

: the bodily system that in vertebrates is made up of the brain and spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, and parts of the receptor organs and that receives and interprets stimuli and transmits impulses to the effector organs see autonomic nervous system, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system

Examples of nervous system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This means that the C20 not only possesses modern turnkey reliability, but also dealership serviceability by way of its OBD II system and CAN (Controller Area Network) bus, which is the nervous system of every new car. —Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 3 Dec. 2025

Chronic wasting disease is a progressive, fatal disease that attacks the nervous system of deer, elk and moose. —Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Dec. 2025

There are even electronic devices to treat headaches by stimulating different parts of the nervous system. —Katherine Cobb-Pitstick, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 2025

Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nervous system

• cryptosystem
• ecosystem
• intersystem
• multisystem
• photosystem
• subsystem

Kids Definition

nervous system

noun

: the bodily system that receives stimuli, decides on their importance, and sends nerve impulses to the organs of action and that in vertebrates is made up of brain and spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, and parts of the receptor organs

Medical Definition

nervous system

noun

: the bodily system that in vertebrates is made up of the brain and spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, and parts of the receptor organs and that receives and interprets stimuli and transmits impulses to the effector organs see autonomic nervous system, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system