dendrite
noun
den·drite
ˈden-ˌdrīt 
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
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When that force exceeds the fracture strength of their connection to the basal ice, the dendrites snap off and are pulled ballistically toward the electrode rather than settling back under gravity.
—
Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 30 Dec. 2025
Over time, this plating leads to the growth of dendrites: Tiny needles of metallic lithium that can damage the anode, reducing its ability to hold and release ions efficiently, which shortens the battery’s cycle life compared to LTO.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2025
For example, some inhibitory cells prefer to send signals to another neuron’s little branches called dendrites, while others send signals to a neuron’s cell body.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
That model misses how dendrites actually behave.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dendrite
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Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 30 Dec. 2025
Over time, this plating leads to the growth of dendrites: Tiny needles of metallic lithium that can damage the anode, reducing its ability to hold and release ions efficiently, which shortens the battery’s cycle life compared to LTO.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2025
For example, some inhibitory cells prefer to send signals to another neuron’s little branches called dendrites, while others send signals to a neuron’s cell body.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
That model misses how dendrites actually behave.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dendrite
Cite this Entry
“Dendrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dendrite. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dendrite
noun
den·drite
ˈden-ˌdrīt
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
adjective
den-ˈdrit-ik
Medical Definition
dendrite
noun
den·drite
ˈden-ˌdrīt
: any of the usually branching protoplasmic processes that conduct impulses toward the body of a nerve cell
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