neuron

noun

neu·​ron ˈnü-ˌrän  ˈnyü-  ˈnu̇r-ˌän 

ˈnyu̇r-

: a grayish or reddish granular cell that is the fundamental functional unit of nervous tissue transmitting and receiving nerve impulses and having cytoplasmic processes which are highly differentiated frequently as multiple dendrites or usually as solitary axons which conduct impulses to and away from the cell body : nerve cell sense 1

neuronal

ˈnu̇r-ə-nᵊl 

ˈnyu̇r-;

nu̇-ˈrō-nᵊl 

nyu̇-

adjective

or less commonly neuronic

nu̇-ˈrä-nik 

nyu̇-

Illustration of neuron

• 1 cell body
• 2 dendrite
• 3 axon
• 4 nerve ending

Examples of neuron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Share [Findings] Scientists trained subjects to exercise control over a single neuron, linked the hippocampus to regret, and concluded that humans smell in stereo. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024

Those images are processed with special software and translated into commands that talk to the network of chips, turning on individual electrodes to stimulate neurons. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024

In these systems, circuit components called neurons—analogous to neurons in the human brain—are fed data and cooperate to solve a problem, such as recognizing faces. —IEEE Spectrum, 12 Apr. 2024

According to the researchers, the barcode patterns exist independently from the activity of place cells, which are hippocampal neurons that encode memories of locations. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024

These utilize a liquid neural network design, but there's a key addition – researchers have figured out how to solve differential equations simulating the interaction of two neurons through synapses (applying, in the models, ‘sigmoidal’ synapse designs). —John Werner, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

Once an implant is in place, the tiny signals of individual neurons—measurable in microvolts—have to be amplified, digitized, and transmitted, preferably by a unit that’s both wireless and inconspicuous. —S. I. Rosenbaum, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2024

Two-thirds of these neurons are in their arms and the rest are in the brain. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024

Each sensor, measuring 300 by 300 micrometers, acts as a wireless node in a large array, analogous to neurons in the brain. —IEEE Spectrum, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Neuron, borrowed from Greek neûron "sinew, tendon, nerve" — more at nerve entry 1

Note: Term introduced by the German anatomist Heinrich Wilhelm Waldeyer (Heinrich Wilhelm Gottfried von Waldeyer-Hartz, 1836-1921) in "Ueber einige neuere Forschungen im Gebiete der Anatomie der Centralnervensystems," Berliner klinische Wochenschrift, 28. Jahrgang, no. 28, July 13, 1891, p. 691: "Somit besteht ein Nervenelement (eine 'Nerveneinheit' oder 'Neuron', wie ich es zu nennen vorschlagen möchte), den genannten Forschungsergebnissen … zufolge, aus nachstehenden Stücken: a) einer Nervenzelle, b) dem Nervenfortsatze, c) dessen Collateralen und d) dem Endbäumchen." — "Therefore, in accordance with the cited research results, a nerve element (a 'nerve unit' or 'neuron,' as I would like to suggest as a name), consists of the following parts: a) a nerve cell, b) the nerve process [= axon], c) its collaterals and d) the end tree [= axon terminals]." Waldeyer apparently intended -on to be taken as a suffix, indicating a unit, rather than the Greek neuter singular inflectional ending, as he utilized Neuronen as the plural in the same article. Cf. French neurone and the English variant neurone.

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing neuron

• associative neuron
• motor neuron

Kids Definition

neuron

noun

neu·​ron ˈn(y)ü-ˌrän  ˈn(y)u̇(ə)r- ˌän 

: a grayish or reddish cell that is the basic working unit of the nervous system and has an axon and dendrites that carry nerve impulses

Medical Definition

neuron

noun

neu·​ron ˈn(y)ü-ˌrän  ˈn(y)u̇(ə)r-ˌän 

variants also neurone

-ˌrōn, -ˌōn 

: one of the cells that constitute nervous tissue, that have the property of transmitting and receiving nerve impulses, and that are composed of somewhat reddish or grayish protoplasm with a large nucleus containing a conspicuous nucleolus, irregular cytoplasmic granules, and cytoplasmic processes which are highly differentiated frequently as multiple dendrites or usually as solitary axons and which conduct impulses toward and away from the cell body : nerve cell sense 1

neuronal

ˈn(y)u̇r-ən-ᵊl  n(y)u̇-ˈrōn-ᵊl 

adjective

also neuronic

n(y)u̇-ˈrän-ik