cortex
noun
cor·tex
ˈkȯr-ˌteks 
plural cortices
ˈkȯr-tə-ˌsēz
also cortexes
also cortexes
1
a(1)
: the outer or superficial part of an organ or bodily structure (such as the kidney, adrenal gland, or cerebellum or a bone)
especially
: cerebral cortex
(2)
: the proteinaceous usually pigmented layer of a hair below the cuticle
b
: the outer part of some organisms (such as paramecia)
2
: a plant bark or rind (such as cinchona) used medicinally
3
a
: the typically parenchymatous layer of tissue external to the vascular tissue and internal to the corky or epidermal tissues of a green plant
broadly
: all tissues external to the xylem
b
: an outer or investing layer of various algae, lichens, or fungi
Examples of cortex in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, the newer study did not confirm any consistent association between liberal ideology and the anterior cingulate cortex size.
—
Paul Hsieh, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
One of these might, say, represent all the molecular-scale ions, ion channels, and so forth that produce currents in our neurons; another represents the firing patterns of the neurons themselves; another, the activity seen in compartments of the brain such as the hippocampus and frontal cortex.
—Philip Ball, WIRED, 21 July 2024
By contrast, implanted electrodes can be placed right next to the motor cortex and can eavesdrop on the activity of only those neurons.
—Dana MacKenzie, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
Barnett’s group was able to examine the entire brain, including the parietal cortex, the region that’s considered the hub for processing numbers.
—Quanta Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cortex 
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Paul Hsieh, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
One of these might, say, represent all the molecular-scale ions, ion channels, and so forth that produce currents in our neurons; another represents the firing patterns of the neurons themselves; another, the activity seen in compartments of the brain such as the hippocampus and frontal cortex.
—Philip Ball, WIRED, 21 July 2024
By contrast, implanted electrodes can be placed right next to the motor cortex and can eavesdrop on the activity of only those neurons.
—Dana MacKenzie, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
Barnett’s group was able to examine the entire brain, including the parietal cortex, the region that’s considered the hub for processing numbers.
—Quanta Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cortex
Dictionary Entries Near cortex
Cite this Entry
“Cortex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cortex. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cortex
noun
cor·tex
ˈkȯr-ˌteks
plural cortices
ˈkȯrt-ə-ˌsēz
or cortexes
or cortexes
1
: an outer or surrounding layer of an organ or body part
the cortex of the kidney
especially
: the outer layer of gray matter of the cerebrum
2
: the layer of tissue outside the xylem and phloem and inside the corky or epidermal tissues of a vascular plant
also
: all tissues external to the xylem
Medical Definition
cortex
noun
cor·tex
ˈkȯr-ˌteks
plural cortices
ˈkȯrt-ə-ˌsēz
also cortexes
also cortexes
1
a
: the outer or superficial part of an organ or body structure (as the kidney, adrenal gland, or a hair)
especially
: cerebral cortex
b
: the outer part of some organisms (as paramecia)
2
a
: a plant bark or rind (as cinchona) used medicinally
b
: the peel of any of several fruits
—used especially in the writing of medical prescriptions
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