'neurotransmitter' originates from the combination of 'neuro-' from Greek 'neuron' meaning 'nerve' and 'transmitter' from Latin 'transmittere' meaning 'to send across'.

'neurotransmitter' was coined in the 20th century as scientific understanding of nerve functions expanded.

Initially, it referred to any substance that could transmit signals in the nervous system, and this meaning has remained consistent.