plasticity

noun

plas·​tic·​i·​ty pla-ˈsti-sə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being plastic

especially : capacity for being molded or altered

2

: the ability to retain a shape attained by pressure deformation

3

: the capacity of organisms with the same genotype to vary in developmental pattern, in phenotype, or in behavior according to varying environmental conditions

4

: the capacity for continuous alteration of the neural pathways and synapses of the living brain and nervous system in response to experience or injury

Synonyms of plasticity

• malleability
• flexibility

Examples of plasticity in a Sentence

we chose that type of clay for its greater plasticity

Recent Examples on the Web

In most studies of Hebbian plasticity, neurons can strengthen or weaken their connection if they are activated within milliseconds of each other. —Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026

Practicing and learning new skills enhances and strengthens the connections between brain neurons, a process called synaptic plasticity, according to a 2017 report from The American Society for Cell Biology. —Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026

Importantly, research suggests that psilocin also alters the brain’s ability to strengthen or weaken neural connections, referred to as synaptic plasticity. —Hollis Karoly, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026

And that is called brain plasticity, which involves our brain’s capacity to develop new neural pathways. —Helen Dennis, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1727, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for plasticity

• basicity
• chronicity
• complicity
• cyclicity
• duplicity
• ethnicity
• facticity
• felicity
• helicity
• publicity
• rusticity
• simplicity

Kids Definition

plasticity

noun

plas·​tic·​i·​ty pla-ˈstis-ət-ē 

: the quality or state of being plastic

especially : capacity for being molded or changed in form or shape

Medical Definition

plasticity

noun

plas·​tic·​i·​ty pla-ˈstis-ət-ē 

plural plasticities

1

: the quality or state of being plastic

especially : capacity for being molded or altered

2

: the ability to retain a shape attained by pressure deformation

3

: the capacity of organisms with the same genotype to vary in developmental pattern, in phenotype, or in behavior according to varying environmental conditions

4

: the capacity for continuous alteration of the neural pathways and synapses of the living brain and nervous system in response to experience or injury that involves the formation of new pathways and synapses and the elimination or modification of existing ones