refractory period

noun

: the brief period immediately following the response especially of a muscle or nerve before it recovers the capacity to make a second response

called also refractory phase

Examples of refractory period in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The refractory period for knuckle cracking is about 20 minutes. —Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 1 Feb. 2023

In some situations the psychological refractory period can be a matter of life and death. —Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2010

When the number was close to 45, the psychological refractory period got longer. —Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2010

For example, scientists don’t even know for sure why there is a refractory period. —Benjamin Plackett, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2021

The researchers found that the psychological refractory period stopped this mental clock (pdf). —Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2010

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1880, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

refractory period

noun

: the brief period immediately following the response especially of a muscle or nerve before it recovers the capacity to make a second response

called also refractory phase

see absolute refractory period, relative refractory period