: a soft white material that forms a thick layer around the axons of some neurons and is composed chiefly of lipids (such as cerebroside and cholesterol), water, and smaller amounts of protein
Examples of myelin in a Sentence
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The progressive disease damages the protective cover around nerves called myelin in your central nervous system, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—
Hannah Sacks, People.com, 30 July 2025
The team analyzed the images of myelin water in the runners’ brains, which can be an indirect indicator of myelin in the brain.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2025
However, myelin can also be a source of energy during extreme metabolic conditions, such as running a marathon.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2025
The body uses vitamin B12 to synthesize myelin, a substance made from fats and proteins that surrounds and insulates nerves.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 2 July 2025
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Hannah Sacks, People.com, 30 July 2025
The team analyzed the images of myelin water in the runners’ brains, which can be an indirect indicator of myelin in the brain.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2025
However, myelin can also be a source of energy during extreme metabolic conditions, such as running a marathon.
—Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 3 July 2025
The body uses vitamin B12 to synthesize myelin, a substance made from fats and proteins that surrounds and insulates nerves.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for myelin
Cite this Entry
“Myelin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myelin. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
myelin
noun
my·e·lin
ˈmī-ə-lən 
: a soft white material of lipid and protein that is secreted by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells and forms a thick sheath about axons see myelin sheath
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