nerve ending

noun

: a structure forming the distal end of a nerve axon see neuron illustration

Examples of nerve ending in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One 2016 study found that half of the white medical students surveyed endorsed at least one false belief about biological differences between Black and white patients, such as that Black people have physically thicker skin or less sensitive nerve endings than white people. Elizabeth Hintz, CNN Money, 26 May 2025 Lisa references confused nerve endings and anatomical identity crises. Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 May 2025 These pits house membranes rich in heat-sensitive nerve endings, enabling the snake to detect minute temperature differences in its environment. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that stops pain by blocking the signals at the nerve endings in the skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nerve ending

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nerve ending was in 1868

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nerve ending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerve%20ending. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

nerve ending

noun
: a structure forming an end of a nerve axon that is distant from the cell body

Medical Definition

nerve ending

noun
: the structure in which the distal end of the axon of a nerve fiber terminates

called also nerve end

More from Merriam-Webster on nerve ending

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!