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• pons
  pons

  noun

  a band of nerve fibers in the brain connecting the lobes of the midbrain, medulla, and cerebrum.
• Pons
  Pons

  noun

  Lily 1904–76, U.S. operatic soprano, born in France.

pons

¹ American  

[ponz] / pɒnz /

noun

Anatomy.

• pontes
  plural

1. Also called pons Varolii.  a band of nerve fibers in the brain connecting the lobes of the midbrain, medulla, and cerebrum.

2. any tissue connecting two parts of a body organ or structure.

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Pons ² American  

[ponz, pawns] / pɒnz, pɔ̃s /

noun

1. Lily 1904–76, U.S. operatic soprano, born in France.

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pons British  

/ pɒnz /

noun

1. a bridge of connecting tissue

2. short for pons Varolii

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pons Scientific  

/ pŏnz /

• pontes
  plural

1. A thick band of nerve fibers in the brainstem of humans and other mammals that links the brainstem to the cerebellum and upper portions of the brain. It is important in the reflex control of involuntary processes, including respiration and circulation. All neural information transmitted between the spinal cord and the brain passes through the pons.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• pontes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pons

1685–95; < Latin pōns bridge ( see punt ¹)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pons Pons pontes

Han's team hypothesized that certain emotions or behaviors could lead cortical neurons to activate the pons, which would then lower activity in the medulla, resulting in slower breath.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 19, 2024

However, messages coming down from the pons actually inhibit activity in the medulla, leading breathing rates to slow down.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 19, 2024

The pons is the main connection with the cerebellum.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

The pons is the main connection between the cerebellum and the brain stem.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

It has been noticed that those fibres which are lowest in the pons go to the upper surface of the cerebellum and vice versa.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 4 "Bradford, William" to "Brequigny, Louis" by Various

This year, for the first time, Pons is also trying to create a more festive atmosphere inside the store with holiday decorations, such as a garland at the checkout desk.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 6, 2025

Jordi Pons: I look at what players do on the pitch.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2025

Jordi Pons: Manager Hansi Flick is looking for more alternatives, so he can have competition for places in every position.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2025

Retired banker and longtime Republican activist Lori Marie Pesta and retired airline pilot Mike Pons are running against Loudermilk in the 11th Congressional District northwest of Atlanta.

From Seattle Times ● May 21, 2024

Even the treasure which had been stored up in Montségur was conveyed away safely through the investing lines, about Christmas, 1243, to Pons Arnaud de Châteauverdun in the Savartès.

From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume II by Henry Charles Lea

This is now a sacred island, lying by the city, adorned with temples of the gods, and walks, and is called in the Latin tongue inter duos pontes.

From Plutarch: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans by Arthur Hugh Clough

Where this great road crosses streams and might reasonably be lost, at its pontes, its bridges, it has remained, and is of such importance as to have given a name to a whole countryside--Ponthieu.

From First and Last by Hilaire Belloc

After passing through the pontes they received the voting tablets at the entrance of the septa.

From Plutarch's Lives, Volume II by Aubrey Stewart