neurula

noun

neu·​ru·​la ˈnu̇r-ə-lə How to pronounce neurula (audio)
ˈnyu̇r-,
-yə-lə How to pronounce neurula (audio)
plural neurulae ˈnu̇r-ə-ˌlē How to pronounce neurula (audio)
ˈnyu̇r-,
-yə-lə
 or neurulas
: an early vertebrate embryo which follows the gastrula and in which nervous tissue begins to differentiate and the basic pattern of the vertebrate begins to emerge
neurulation
ˌnu̇r-ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce neurula (audio)
ˌnyu̇r-
-yə-
noun

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (in a French context), "cluster of embryonic cells in marine gastropods that develop into the nervous system and eyes," from Greek neûron "sinew, tendon, nerve" + New Latin -ula (in gastrula gastrula) — more at nerve entry 1

Note: Term apparently introduced by the Swiss embryologist Hermann Fol (1845-92) in "Sur le dèveloppement des hétéropodes," Comptes rendus hebdomadaires des séances de l'Académie des Sciences, tome 81 (juillet-décembre 1875), pp. 472-74. In reference to vertebrate embryology the word was employed later by the German embryologist August Rauber (1841-1917) in Primitivstreifen und Neurula der Wirbelthieren, in normaler und pathologischer Beziehung (Leipzig, 1877).

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of neurula was in 1878

Browse Nearby Words

neurotypical
neurula
Neuse
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Neurula.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neurula. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

neurula

noun
neu·​ru·​la ˈn(y)u̇r-(y)ə-lə How to pronounce neurula (audio)
plural neurulae -ˌlē How to pronounce neurula (audio) or neurulas
: an early vertebrate embryo which follows the gastrula and in which nervous tissue begins to differentiate and the basic pattern of the vertebrate begins to emerge
neurular
-lər How to pronounce neurula (audio)
adjective
neurulation
ˌn(y)u̇r-(y)ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce neurula (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on neurula

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about neurula

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

8 Real (and Perceived) Redundant Words

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Real (and Perceived) Redundant Words

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All