nervous system

American  

[nur-vuhs sis-tuhm] / ˈnɜr vəs ˌsɪs təm /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

nervous systems plural

1. the system of nerves and nerve centers in an animal or human, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and ganglia.

2. a particular part of this system.

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nervous system British  

noun

1. the sensory and control apparatus of all multicellular animals above the level of sponges, consisting of a network of nerve cells See neurone See also central nervous system

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nervous system Scientific  

/ nûr′vəs /

1. The system of neurons and tissues that regulates the actions and responses of vertebrates and many invertebrates. The nervous system of vertebrates is a complex information-processing system that consists mainly of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral and autonomic nerves. It receives chemical information from hormones in the circulating blood and can also regulate secretions of the endocrine system by the action of neurohormones. The nervous systems of invertebrates vary from a simple network of nerves to a complex nerve network under the control of a primitive brain.

2. See also autonomic nervous system central nervous system peripheral nervous system

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nervous system Cultural  

1. The system in the body that controls internal functions of the body and receives, interprets, and responds to stimuli. The nervous system is made up of the brain, the spinal cord, the nerves, and the sense organs, such as the eye and ear.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• nervous systems
  plural

Etymology

Origin of nervous system

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nervous system

Because the retina is part of the central nervous system, the researchers say these findings may have implications beyond vision.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026

These more severe symptoms may last several weeks, and lead to permanent damage to the brain and nervous system.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

Future studies are expected to focus on orthotopic validation, optimizing dosing strategies, tracking nitric oxide activity over longer periods, and investigating the underlying mechanisms in additional central nervous system tumor models.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 27, 2026

Many contain large amounts of caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system and makes you feel more awake.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

From January on, she was wrapped in a wet sheet and rubbed vigorously for five minutes every morning, which was supposed to stimulate her nervous system and circulation.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman