Illustration of neuron
- 1 cell body
- 2 dendrite
- 3 axon
- 4 nerve ending
: a grayish or reddish granular cell that is the fundamental functional unit of nervous tissue transmitting and receiving nerve impulses and having cytoplasmic processes which are highly differentiated frequently as multiple dendrites or usually as solitary axons which conduct impulses to and away from the cell body : nerve cell sense 1
Examples of neuron in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The human brain contains complex folds that increase its surface area, allowing billions of neurons to fit inside the skull.
—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 July 2026
Groups at the University of Washington and the University of the Basque Country published work in 2025 showing dental pulp stem cells can be guided into becoming neurons, heart muscle and bone in lab settings.
—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
6 July 2026
The mice that were prevented from scratching and those lacking the itch-sensing neuron experienced less inflammation.
—
Teresa Mull,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
Some researchers theorize that increasing brain creatine can protect neurons and improve cognition.
—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for neuron
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Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 July 2026
Groups at the University of Washington and the University of the Basque Country published work in 2025 showing dental pulp stem cells can be guided into becoming neurons, heart muscle and bone in lab settings.
—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
6 July 2026
The mice that were prevented from scratching and those lacking the itch-sensing neuron experienced less inflammation.
—
Teresa Mull,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2026
Some researchers theorize that increasing brain creatine can protect neurons and improve cognition.
—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for neuron
Cite this Entry
“Neuron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neuron. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
neuron
noun
neu·ron
ˈn(y)ü-ˌrän 
ˈn(y)u̇(ə)r- ˌän
ˈn(y)u̇(ə)r- ˌän
: a grayish or reddish cell that is the basic working unit of the nervous system and has an axon and dendrites that carry nerve impulses
Medical Definition
neuron
noun
neu·ron
ˈn(y)ü-ˌrän
ˈn(y)u̇(ə)r-ˌän
ˈn(y)u̇(ə)r-ˌän
variants
also neurone
: one of the cells that constitute nervous tissue, that have the property of transmitting and receiving nerve impulses, and that are composed of somewhat reddish or grayish protoplasm with a large nucleus containing a conspicuous nucleolus, irregular cytoplasmic granules, and cytoplasmic processes which are highly differentiated frequently as multiple dendrites or usually as solitary axons and which conduct impulses toward and away from the cell body : nerve cell sense 1
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