all-or-none

adjective

ˌȯl-ər-ˈnən 

: marked either by entire or complete operation or effect or by none at all

all-or-none response of a nerve cell

Examples of all-or-none in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That mistake is the cognitive error known as black-and-white thinking, also called dichotomous and all-or-none thinking. —Jeremy P. Shapiro, The Conversation, 2 May 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

all-or-none

adjective

ˌȯ-lər-ˈnən 

: marked either by complete operation or effect or by none at all

all-or-none response of a nerve cell