plasticity
noun
plas·tic·i·ty
pla-ˈsti-sə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being plastic
especially
: capacity for being molded or altered
2
: the ability to retain a shape attained by pressure deformation
3
: the capacity of organisms with the same genotype to vary in developmental pattern, in phenotype, or in behavior according to varying environmental conditions
4
: the capacity for continuous alteration of the neural pathways and synapses of the living brain and nervous system in response to experience or injury
Examples of plasticity in a Sentence
we chose that type of clay for its greater plasticity
Recent Examples on the Web
Hippocampal plasticity underpins long-term cognitive gains from resistance exercise in MCI
Sports Medicine.
—
Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
Again, vinegar’s acetic acid could be the benefactor; acetate plays a role in improving brain inflammation, plasticity, and overall cognition.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024
But now researchers at Weill Cornell Medical have developed an analytical tool that enables scientists to quantify the plasticity of a cell (aka how much it’s changed) and determine what mechanisms in the cell the cancer is hijacking for that plasticity.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
Sleep also assists with the regulation of neurotransmitter levels, metabolism, brain plasticity and the cleaning of toxic waste proteins from the brain.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for plasticity 
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.
Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
Again, vinegar’s acetic acid could be the benefactor; acetate plays a role in improving brain inflammation, plasticity, and overall cognition.
—Matt Fuchs, TIME, 16 Oct. 2024
But now researchers at Weill Cornell Medical have developed an analytical tool that enables scientists to quantify the plasticity of a cell (aka how much it’s changed) and determine what mechanisms in the cell the cancer is hijacking for that plasticity.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
Sleep also assists with the regulation of neurotransmitter levels, metabolism, brain plasticity and the cleaning of toxic waste proteins from the brain.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 19 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for plasticity
Dictionary Entries Near plasticity
Cite this Entry
“Plasticity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plasticity. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plasticity
noun
plas·tic·i·ty
pla-ˈstis-ət-ē
: the quality or state of being plastic
especially
: capacity for being molded or changed in form or shape
Medical Definition
plasticity
noun
plas·tic·i·ty
pla-ˈstis-ət-ē
plural plasticities
1
: the quality or state of being plastic
especially
: capacity for being molded or altered
2
: the ability to retain a shape attained by pressure deformation
3
: the capacity of organisms with the same genotype to vary in developmental pattern, in phenotype, or in behavior according to varying environmental conditions
4
: the capacity for continuous alteration of the neural pathways and synapses of the living brain and nervous system in response to experience or injury that involves the formation of new pathways and synapses and the elimination or modification of existing ones
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share