dendrite

noun

den·​drite ˈden-ˌdrīt How to pronounce dendrite (audio)
1
: a branching treelike figure produced on or in a mineral by a foreign mineral
also : the mineral so marked
2
: a crystallized arborescent form
3
: any of the usually branching protoplasmic processes that conduct impulses toward the body of a neuron see neuron illustration

Examples of dendrite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This prevents dendrites from growing through the electrolyte. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 Neurons form the underlying infrastructure, with axons and dendrites creating the main roads and side streets. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Neurons in textbook diagrams look deceptively simple, with only a handful of dendrites extending from the cell body. — Ajdina Halilovic, Scientific American, 13 Aug. 2026 Magee, then at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus, and his students Grienberger and Katie Bittner were looking to observe the behavior of neurons’ arms, called dendrites, in a living animal. — Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dendrite

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dendrite was in 1728

Rhymes for dendrite

See All Rhymes for dendrite

Browse Nearby Words

dendriform
dendrite
dendritic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dendrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dendrite. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dendrite

noun
den·​drite ˈden-ˌdrīt How to pronounce dendrite (audio)
1
: a branching figure (as in a mineral or stone) resembling a tree
2
: any of the usually branching extensions of a neuron over which impulses travel toward the cell body compare axon
dendritic
den-ˈdrit-ik
adjective

Medical Definition

dendrite

noun
den·​drite ˈden-ˌdrīt How to pronounce dendrite (audio)
: any of the usually branching protoplasmic processes that conduct impulses toward the body of a nerve cell
dendritic
den-ˈdrit-ik How to pronounce dendrite (audio)
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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