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

There has been some evidence that stimulating the nervous system in certain ways could make this recovery go faster, and researchers in China wanted to find out if this could be achieved through music. —Eva Amsen, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Parkinson’s disease primarily affects the nervous system, particularly the brain, causing tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. —Zach Lachance, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2025

Centrally acting alpha agonists help prevent the nervous system from responding to stress. —Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025

According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), MOGAD is a condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks parts of the nervous system. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 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