nicotinic
adjective
nic·o·tin·ic
ˌni-kə-ˈtē-nik 
-ˈti-
-ˈti-
: relating to, resembling, producing, or mediating the effects produced by nicotine on nerve fibers at autonomic ganglia and at the neuromuscular junctions of voluntary muscle which increases activity in small doses and inhibits it in larger doses
nicotinic receptors
compare muscarinic
Examples of nicotinic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicotine molecules bind to the body’s nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are involved in regulating the dopamine reward system, and the resulting feel-good sensation is what makes nicotine addictive.
—
Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2025
Neuroscientist Janna Moen, PhD, never expected her doctoral research on nicotinic receptor pharmacology to intersect so closely with her health.
—Asmae Fahmy, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024
Since cytisine binds particularly well to a type of nicotinic receptor called α3β4, the researchers figured that receptor might be the major player in decreasing appetite.
—Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2011
The researchers first observed that mice given nicotine or the drug cytisine, which binds to some nicotinic receptors in the brain, ate less and had less body fat than mice not given either drug.
—Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2011
The addiction-fighting medication acts on proteins called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are the same neurological buttons that tobacco products push.
—Aaron Rowe, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2007
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 24 Jan. 2025
Neuroscientist Janna Moen, PhD, never expected her doctoral research on nicotinic receptor pharmacology to intersect so closely with her health.
—Asmae Fahmy, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024
Since cytisine binds particularly well to a type of nicotinic receptor called α3β4, the researchers figured that receptor might be the major player in decreasing appetite.
—Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2011
The researchers first observed that mice given nicotine or the drug cytisine, which binds to some nicotinic receptors in the brain, ate less and had less body fat than mice not given either drug.
—Valerie Ross, Discover Magazine, 10 June 2011
The addiction-fighting medication acts on proteins called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are the same neurological buttons that tobacco products push.
—Aaron Rowe, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2007
Cite this Entry
“Nicotinic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nicotinic. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
nicotinic
adjective
nic·o·tin·ic
ˌnik-ə-ˈtē-nik
-ˈtin-ik
-ˈtin-ik
: relating to, resembling, producing, or mediating the effects that are produced by acetylcholine liberated by nerve fibers at autonomic ganglia and at the neuromuscular junctions of voluntary muscle and that are mimicked by nicotine which increases activity in small doses and inhibits it in larger doses
nicotinic receptors
compare muscarinic
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share