optic nerve

noun

: either of the second pair of cranial nerves that pass from the retina to the optic chiasma and conduct visual stimuli to the brain see eye illustration

Examples of optic nerve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
When a person fixates on a target, their retina captures visual information and sends it to the brain via the optic nerve. Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026 It's typically caused when blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve. Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Jan. 2026 This allows the retina to pick up light signals, which are transferred to the optic nerve, the BBC reported. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026 The tumor had broken through the lining of my brain and surrounded my optic nerves. David Freyne, Time, 7 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for optic nerve

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of optic nerve was in 1615

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Optic nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optic%20nerve. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

optic nerve

noun
: either of a pair of sensory nerves that are the second pair of cranial nerves and carry visual information from the retina of the eye to the brain

Medical Definition

optic nerve

noun
: either of the pair of sensory nerves that comprise the second pair of cranial nerves, arise from the ventral part of the diencephalon, form an optic chiasma before passing to the eye and spreading over the anterior surface of the retina, and conduct visual stimuli to the brain

called also second cranial nerve

More from Merriam-Webster on optic nerve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster