-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
white matter
noun
: neural tissue especially of the brain and spinal cord that consists largely of myelinated nerve fibers bundled into tracts, has a whitish color, and typically underlies the cortical gray matter
Examples of white matter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While grey matter decreases, there were significant increases in white matter, the nerve fibres that connect neurons and help different brain regions communicate.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 18 Sep. 2024
Diverse areas can be linked together by edges representing the brain’s structural connections: thick bundles of tubular wires called white matter tracts that tie together brain regions.
—Max Bertolero, Scientific American, 1 July 2019
This helped researchers to identify the brain’s six cortical layers and white matter.
—Isabel Fraser, WIRED, 15 Aug. 2024
Compared to people without depression or migraine, those with both had lower overall volume, decreased gray and white matter, and less cerebrospinal fluid.5
Serotonin: Both conditions feature low levels of serotonin.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for white matter
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'white matter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1674, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near white matter
Cite this Entry
“White matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20matter. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
white matter
noun
: whitish nerve tissue especially of the brain and spinal cord that consists largely of nerve fibers enclosed in a fatty material and that lies under the gray matter
Medical Definition
white matter
noun
: neural tissue especially of the brain and spinal cord that consists largely of myelinated nerve fibers bundled into tracts, has a whitish color, and typically underlies the gray matter
More from Merriam-Webster on white matter
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about white matter
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share