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

By day 10, my entire nervous system was hijacked—every fiber of my being was at ease, and all cravings subsided. —Essence, 14 Oct. 2025

For example, mutations in the CNTNAP2 gene, which plays a role in the development and function of the nervous system, have been linked to a predisposition of autism, particularly among some Amish children. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2025

But, given the gentle, spatial, simultaneously simple and layered productions on the three albums, one does experience the music as a sort of nervous system salve in a noisy world. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025

If the person is untreated, the methanol metabolizes into formic acid, which attacks the optic nerve and nervous system, leading to blindness, organ failure or death within 48 hours. —Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 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