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

When glutamate reaches the next neuron, it can cause that cell to fire, continuing the chain of communication.

From Science Daily • Dec. 29, 2025

When an electrical signal reaches the end of an axon, it cannot cross the small gap to the next neuron, which is known as a synapse.

From Science Daily • Dec. 29, 2025

They also applied drugs that selectively block certain molecular sensors, making it possible to pinpoint which ion channels were active in each type of neuron.

From Science Daily • Dec. 18, 2025

"Some of these microvesicles originate in a neuron in your brain, and they're like messengers carrying cargo," Gibbons explained.

From Science Daily • Dec. 17, 2025

Instantly every neuron in my brain was awake and dashing around frantically, like ants when you disturb their nest.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson