nerve ending

noun

: a structure forming the distal end of a nerve axon see neuron illustration

Examples of nerve ending in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The nerve endings in our fingers are triggered; our senses expand. Ligaya Mishan Kyoko Hamada, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 In the cervical area, there are nerve endings from three different nerves that can be hit, potentially causing pain within the cervix and pelvic area, explains Sonia Bahlani, MD, an ob-gyn, pelvic pain specialist, and author of Dr. Sonia’s Guide to Navigating Pelvic Pain. Mara Santilli, Glamour, 10 Nov. 2023 The compound activates nerve endings in the cornea that send a message to the brain translated as pain. Mark Kurlansky, Bon Appétit, 6 Nov. 2023 Although a body part is amputated, the peripheral nerve endings remain connected to the brain, and can thus misread that information as pain. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Oct. 2023 Deep burns can destroy the underlying nerve endings and the body goes into shock, limiting the level of pain — in the initial stages. Mike Baker, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2023 This wasn’t a music of minds — or even hearts — so much as nerve endings. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023 In some ways the impairment is similar to loss of taste as the nose produces less mucus, which helps keep odors in the nose long enough to be detected by nerve endings. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023 And soon their prosthetics will directly interface with nerve endings. IEEE Spectrum, 6 Nov. 2010

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nerve ending.' 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

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nerve ending was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near nerve ending

Cite this Entry

“Nerve ending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerve%20ending. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nerve ending

noun
: a structure forming an end of a nerve axon that is distant from the cell body

Medical Definition

nerve ending

noun
: the structure in which the distal end of the axon of a nerve fiber terminates

called also nerve end

More from Merriam-Webster on nerve ending

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!