sciatic nerve

noun

: either of the pair of largest nerves in the body that arise one on each side from the nerve plexus supplying the posterior limb and pelvic region and that pass out of the pelvis and down the back of the thigh

Examples of sciatic nerve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

LeBron James finally back in action The Los Angeles Lakers welcomed the return of LeBron James to the basketball court with a win − and a 140-point explosion − after their superstar missed the first 14 games of the season with a sciatic nerve injury. —Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 22 Nov. 2025

LeBron James will make his 2025-26 NBA season debut Tuesday after missing the Los Angeles Lakers’ first 14 games with sciatic nerve irritation. —Dan Woike, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve experiences irritation or inflammation. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 22 Oct. 2025

Sciatica is a specific type of radiculopathy that affects the sciatic nerve in the lower back and legs. —Brandi Jones, Health, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sciatic nerve

• conserve
• deserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve
• curve
• mirv
• serve
• swerve
• verve

Kids Definition

sciatic nerve

noun

sī-ˌat-ik-

: a nerve that runs down the back of the thigh and is the largest nerve in the body

Medical Definition

sciatic nerve

noun

: either of the pair of largest nerves in the body that arise one on each side from the sacral plexus and that pass out of the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen and down the back of the thigh to its lower third where division into the tibial and common peroneal nerves occurs