2
: any of the filamentous bands of nervous tissue that connect parts of the nervous system with the other organs, conduct nerve impulses, and are made up of axons and dendrites together with protective and supportive structures
3
4
a
: a sore or sensitive point
her remark touched a nerve
b
5
6
: the sensitive pulp of a tooth
nerved; nerving
: to give strength or courage to : supply with physical or moral force
Synonyms
Examples of nerve in a Sentence
Noun
The optic nerve in the eye allows you to see.
a condition affecting the nerves in her arm
It takes a lot of nerve to start a new career.
He found the nerve to stand up to his boss.
I was going to ask her to the dance, but I lost my nerve.
You have a lot of nerve to talk to me that way.
I can't believe she had the nerve to call me a liar.
Verb
needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
Recent Examples on the Web
Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Dry, red, and irritated skin also can result from damage to nerves (diabetic neuropathy), particularly nerves in the legs and feet.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
Residents near Vandenberg Space Force Base, on the state’s Central Coast, say the launches shake their homes and rattle their nerves.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024
But after a two-hour phone call in which Jenner opened up about how the trial impacted her family and fractured her relationship with her ex-husband, Blair’s nerves tempered and the two were able to form a special connection.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2024
These soft gel capsule from Nature Made are a good dietary supplement option that may also help support muscle relaxation as well as nerve, heart, and bone health.
—Marilyn La Jeunesse, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2024
But no one has the heart right now, or the nerve, to dream that big.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
In adults, consumption of excessive fluoride for extended periods can lead to skeletal fluorosis, a very rare condition that causes joint pain and stiffness, weak bones, muscle loss, and nerve problems.
—Melba Newsome, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
The eclipse may cause discomfort — but likely won’t since the retina doesn’t have pain nerves.
—Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
Noun
Knack walked Joey Gallo to put two on with two outs but escaped further damage by striking out Nick Senzel with an 85-mph changeup, a whiff that seemed to calm the nerves of Knack, who retired the side in order in the second, third and fourth innings.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Dry, red, and irritated skin also can result from damage to nerves (diabetic neuropathy), particularly nerves in the legs and feet.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
Residents near Vandenberg Space Force Base, on the state’s Central Coast, say the launches shake their homes and rattle their nerves.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024
But after a two-hour phone call in which Jenner opened up about how the trial impacted her family and fractured her relationship with her ex-husband, Blair’s nerves tempered and the two were able to form a special connection.
—Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2024
These soft gel capsule from Nature Made are a good dietary supplement option that may also help support muscle relaxation as well as nerve, heart, and bone health.
—Marilyn La Jeunesse, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2024
But no one has the heart right now, or the nerve, to dream that big.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
In adults, consumption of excessive fluoride for extended periods can lead to skeletal fluorosis, a very rare condition that causes joint pain and stiffness, weak bones, muscle loss, and nerve problems.
—Melba Newsome, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
The eclipse may cause discomfort — but likely won’t since the retina doesn’t have pain nerves.
—Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nerve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near nerve
Cite this Entry
“Nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerve. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nerve
1 of 2 noun1
: tendon
strain every nerve
2
: one of the stringy bands of nervous tissue connecting the nervous system with other organs and carrying nerve impulses
3
a
: power of endurance or control
a test of mind and nerve
b
: fearless boldness
had the nerve to confront the mysterious stranger
c
: behavior marked by a rude or disrespectful boldness
what nerve of her to say that
4
a
: a sore or sensitive point
that remark hit a nerve
b
plural
: a condition of being very nervous : jitters
had a case of the nerves before her performance
5
: a vein in a leaf or in the wing of an insect
6
: the sensitive soft inner part of a tooth
nerved
adjective
ˈnərvd
nerve
2 of 2 verb
nerved; nerving
: to give strength or courage to
Medical Definition
nerve
noun1
: any of the filamentous bands of nervous tissue that connect parts of the nervous system with the other organs, conduct nerve impulses, and are made up of axons and dendrites together with protective and supportive structures and that for the larger nerves have the fibers gathered into funiculi surrounded by a perineurium and the funiculi enclosed in a common epineurium
2
nerves plural
: a state or condition of nervous agitation or irritability
3
: the sensitive pulp of a tooth
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