neuron

American  

[noor-on, nyoor-] / ˈnʊər ɒn, ˈnyʊər- /

especially British, neurone

noun

1. Cell Biology. a specialized, impulse-conducting cell that is the functional unit of the nervous system, consisting of the cell body and its processes, the axon and dendrites.

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neuron Scientific  

/ nr′ŏn′ /

1. A cell of the nervous system. Neurons typically consist of a cell body, which contains a nucleus and receives incoming nerve impulses, and an axon, which carries impulses away from the cell body.

2. Also called nerve cell

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Other Word Forms

• neuronal adjective

Etymology

Origin of neuron

First recorded in 1880–85, neuron is from the Greek word neûron sinew, cord, nerve

Example Sentences

Another important next step is to examine what happens if the interaction between these neuron groups is intentionally disrupted.

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026

This suggests that thalamic input selectively strengthens specific neuron types, helping them form coordinated networks and mature functionally.

From Science Daily • Jan. 7, 2026

Each neuron receives input from thousands of others, and only certain combinations and patterns of activity will trigger the receiving neuron to fire.

From Science Daily • Dec. 29, 2025

Using CaBLAM, researchers can observe how a single neuron behaves inside a living animal, including activity within different parts of the cell.

From Science Daily • Dec. 19, 2025

A psychologist explains a computer simulation in which activation builds up in a neuron until it fires “like popcorn in a pan.”

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker