nociceptive

adjective

no·​ci·​cep·​tive ˌnō-si-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce nociceptive (audio)
1
of a stimulus : painful, injurious
2
: of, induced by, or responding to a nociceptive stimulus
nociceptive pain
a nociceptive nerve pathway

Examples of nociceptive 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.
There are two types of pain associated with HS: nociceptive (localized) and neuropathic (nerve) pain.34 HS pain can affect a person's quality of life, affecting their work, intimacy, and mental health. — Heidi Cope, Health, 24 Dec. 2024 The nociceptive system, which registers pain, is one player. — Emily Sohn, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin nocēre "to injure, harm" + -i- + -ceptive (in receptive) — more at noxious

Note: Term probably introduced by the British physiologist Charles Scott Sherrington (1857-1952) in several publications in 1904, as "Correlation of Reflexes and the Principle of the Common Path" (opening address to a meeting of the British Association, Section I, Physiology), Nature, vol. 70, no. 1819 (September 8, 1904), p. 463.

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nociceptive was in 1904

Rhymes for nociceptive

See All Rhymes for nociceptive

Browse Nearby Words

noci-
nociceptive
nociceptor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nociceptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nociceptive. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

nociceptive

adjective
no·​ci·​cep·​tive ˌnō-si-ˈsep-tiv How to pronounce nociceptive (audio)
1
of a stimulus : painful, injurious
2
: of, induced by, or responding to a nociceptive stimulus
—used especially of receptors or protective reflexes
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

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

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

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
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 Word Game 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?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All