neural

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or affecting a nerve or the nervous system
2
: situated in the region of or on the same side of the body as the brain and spinal cord : dorsal
neurally
ˈnu̇r-ə-lē How to pronounce neural (audio)
ˈnyu̇r-
adverb

Examples of neural in a Sentence

She suffers from a neural disorder.
Recent Examples on the Web
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The principle holds that neural systems are driven to predict their environment. Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2026 The breakthrough by a team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) mimics how bats rely on simple echolocation to move through dark, cluttered environments with minimal neural processing. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026 The observed activity could instead reflect internal neural processes, such as refinement of camouflage abilities. Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026 The observed activity could instead reflect internal neural processes such as refinement of camouflage abilities. Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for neural

Word History

Etymology

Greek neûron "sinew, tendon, nerve" + -al entry 1 — more at nerve entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1847, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of neural was circa 1847

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Neural.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neural. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

neural

adjective
neu·​ral ˈn(y)u̇r-əl How to pronounce neural (audio)
: of, relating to, or affecting a nerve or the nervous system

Medical Definition

neural

adjective
neu·​ral ˈn(y)u̇r-əl How to pronounce neural (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or affecting a nerve or the nervous system
2
: situated in the region of or on the same side of the body as the brain and spinal cord : dorsal compare hemal sense 2
neurally adverb

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