sense organ

noun

|Updated on: 6 Jun 2018

Definition of sense organ

: a bodily structure that receives a stimulus and is affected in such a manner as to initiate excitation of associated sensory nerve fibers which convey specific impulses to the central nervous system where they are interpreted as corresponding sensations : receptor

See sense organ defined for English-language learners

See sense organ defined for kids

Recent Examples of sense organ from the Web

This has revealed the brain, the sense organs, sinuses, blood vessels, and nerves that are hidden inside the skull of T. rex.

— robert clark, National Geographic, "Why Today is the Golden Age for Dinosaur Discoveries," 2 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sense organ.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of sense organ

1826

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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SENSE ORGAN Defined for English Language Learners

sense organ

noun

Definition of sense organ for English Language Learners

: a part of your body (such as your eyes, ears, nose, or tongue) that you use to see, hear, smell, taste, or feel things

SENSE ORGAN Defined for Kids

sense organ

noun

Definition of sense organ for Students

: a part of the body (as the eye or nose) that contains special cells that receive stimuli (as light) and activate associated nerves so that they carry impulses to the brain

Medical Dictionary

sense organ

noun

medical Definition of sense organ

: a bodily structure that receives a stimulus (as heat or sound waves) and is affected in such a manner as to initiate a wave of excitation in associated sensory nerve fibers which convey specific impulses to the central nervous system where they are interpreted as corresponding sensations : receptor