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

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a nervous system disease that affects the brain and spinal cord and causes loss of muscle control, according to Mayo Clinic. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 18 May 2026

Our nervous system learned that moving fast was the best way to stay safe, alive and grounded. —Patrick Murphy, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Veterinarian Silvina Diaz, at the University of Buenos Aires, studies the nervous system of rats and mice at an experimentation laboratory. —ABC News, 17 May 2026

Shorter stays don’t give the nervous system enough time to settle out of reactive scrolling patterns, which is why properties like Adhara Retreat in Tuscany build their programs around an eight-day arc and the Hridaya retreat in Portugal commits guests to five days, three of them in full silence. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026

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