neurotransmitter
[ noor-oh-trans-mit-er, -tranz-, nyoor- ]
/ ˌnʊər oʊˈtræns mɪt ər, -ˈtrænz-, ˌnyʊər- /
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noun
any of several chemical substances, as epinephrine or acetylcholine, that transmit nerve impulses across a synapse to a postsynaptic element, as another nerve, muscle, or gland.
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Origin of neurotransmitter
First recorded in 1960–65; neuro- + transmitter
Words nearby neurotransmitter
neurotoxic, neurotoxicity, neurotoxicology, neurotoxin, neurotransmission, neurotransmitter, neurotripsy, neurotrophic, neurotrophy, neurotropic, neurotropism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use neurotransmitter in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for neurotransmitter
neurotransmitter
/ (ˌnjʊərəʊtrænzˈmɪtə) /
noun
a chemical by which a nerve cell communicates with another nerve cell or with a muscle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for neurotransmitter
neurotransmitter
[ nur′ō-trănz′mĭt-ər, -trăns′- ]
n.
Any of the various chemical substances, such as acetylcholine, that transmit nerve impulses across a synapse.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for neurotransmitter
neurotransmitter
[ nur′ō-trănz′mĭt-ər ]
A chemical substance that is produced and secreted by a neuron and then diffuses across a synapse to cause excitation or inhibition of another neuron. Acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin are examples of neurotransmitters.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for neurotransmitter
neurotransmitter
Any one of a number of chemicals that are used to transmit nerve signals across a synapse. They are sprayed from the end of the “upstream” nerve cell and absorbed by receptors in the “downstream” cell.
notes for neurotransmitter
Drugs like Prozac and alcohol affect the emission and reception of neurotransmitters.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.