2
: any of the filamentous bands of nervous tissue that connect parts of the nervous system with the other organs, conduct nerve impulses, and are made up of axons and dendrites together with protective and supportive structures
3
4
a
: a sore or sensitive point
her remark touched a nerve
b
5
6
: the sensitive pulp of a tooth
nerved; nerving
: to give strength or courage to : supply with physical or moral force
Examples of nerve in a Sentence
Noun
The optic nerve in the eye allows you to see.
a condition affecting the nerves in her arm
It takes a lot of nerve to start a new career.
He found the nerve to stand up to his boss.
I was going to ask her to the dance, but I lost my nerve.
You have a lot of nerve to talk to me that way.
I can't believe she had the nerve to call me a liar.
Verb
needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
Recent Examples on the Web
Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025
That suggestion struck a nerve.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
This is a little nerve-racking for me.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Oct. 2025
Potassium helps your heart, brain, and nerves function properly.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nerve
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Noun
The Leia smart sock uses non-invasive electrical pulses to provide customized therapy by stimulating specific nerve strands and restoring sensation in the feet.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2025
That suggestion struck a nerve.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
This is a little nerve-racking for me.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Oct. 2025
Potassium helps your heart, brain, and nerves function properly.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nerve
Cite this Entry
“Nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nerve. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nerve
1 of 2 noun1
: tendon
strain every nerve
2
: one of the stringy bands of nervous tissue connecting the nervous system with other organs and carrying nerve impulses
3
a
: power of endurance or control
a test of mind and nerve
b
: fearless boldness
had the nerve to confront the mysterious stranger
c
: behavior marked by a rude or disrespectful boldness
what nerve of her to say that
4
a
: a sore or sensitive point
that remark hit a nerve
b
plural
: a condition of being very nervous : jitters
had a case of the nerves before her performance
5
: a vein in a leaf or in the wing of an insect
6
: the sensitive soft inner part of a tooth
nerved
adjective
ˈnərvd
nerve
2 of 2 verb
nerved; nerving
: to give strength or courage to
Medical Definition
nerve
noun1
: any of the filamentous bands of nervous tissue that connect parts of the nervous system with the other organs, conduct nerve impulses, and are made up of axons and dendrites together with protective and supportive structures and that for the larger nerves have the fibers gathered into funiculi surrounded by a perineurium and the funiculi enclosed in a common epineurium
2
nerves plural
: a state or condition of nervous agitation or irritability
3
: the sensitive pulp of a tooth
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