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
Other leading commercial companies have taken different approaches. Synchron, based in Brooklyn, has avoided the delicate tissue of the brain by going through a vessel to implant a tiny metal tube near the motor cortex of the brain.
—
Christina Jewett, New York Times, 22 May 2024
This happens because the sound seems to excite and distress connections in the auditory cortex.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for cortex 
Christina Jewett, New York Times, 22 May 2024
This happens because the sound seems to excite and distress connections in the auditory cortex.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for cortex
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cortex.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cortex
Cite this Entry
“Cortex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cortex. Accessed 29 May. 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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