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

An ice bath, by contrast, jolts the whole nervous system—not just the vagus nerve, Tracey wrote in an op-ed published in 2024. —Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2025

Today, her clients learn not only to calm their stress but to channel their nervous system’s vigilance into authenticity, resilience, and trust. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

The caffeine in coffee stimulates the nervous system. —Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2025

For example, on-site specialists were slated to assess the flies' motor activity to detect any nervous system problems. —Leonard David, Space.com, 23 Sep. 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