occipital

adjective

oc·​cip·​i·​tal äk-ˈsi-pə-tᵊl How to pronounce occipital (audio)
: of, relating to, or located within or near the occiput or the occipital bone
occipital noun
occipitally adverb

Examples of occipital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The optic nerve is similar to a telephone cable that connects the eye to the occipital cortex at the very back of the brain, where what is viewed is then processed and interpreted. Gary Stix, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024 In the insight case, the brain scans showed that in the second before the answer was reached, there was a burst of alpha waves in the right occipital cortex, which processes vision. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 July 2024 Occipital Neuralgia Occipital neuralgia is a rare disorder that causes headaches due to irritation of the occipital nerve, which perceives sensation in the scalp. Michael Menna, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024 The study published by the Lancet, found that 94% of patients diagnosed with Posterior Cortical Atrophy, or PCA, a neurodegenerative condition that impairs one's vision and mainly affects the occipital and parietal cortex, also had Alzheimer's. Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for occipital 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, probably borrowed from Medieval Latin occipitālis, from Latin occipit-, occiput occiput + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of occipital was in 1541

Dictionary Entries Near occipital

Cite this Entry

“Occipital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/occipital. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

occipital

1 of 2 adjective
oc·​cip·​i·​tal
äk-ˈsip-ət-ᵊl
: of or relating to the back part of the head or skull or to the occipital bone

occipital

2 of 2 noun

Medical Definition

occipital

1 of 2 adjective
oc·​cip·​i·​tal äk-ˈsip-ət-ᵊl How to pronounce occipital (audio)
: of, relating to, or located within or near the occiput or the occipital bone

occipital

2 of 2 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on occipital

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