brain

American  

[breyn] / breɪn /

noun

1. Anatomy, Zoology.  the part of the central nervous system enclosed in the cranium of humans and other vertebrates, consisting of a soft, convoluted mass of gray and white matter and serving to control and coordinate the mental and physical actions.

2. Zoology.  (in many invertebrates) a part of the nervous system more or less corresponding to the brain of vertebrates.

3. (used with a plural verb)  Sometimes brains. understanding; intellectual power; intelligence.

   Synonyms:

   capacity , sense

4. the brain as the center of thought, understanding, etc.; mind; intellect.

5. Slang.  brains, a member of a group who is regarded as its intellectual leader or planner.

   The junior partner is the brains of the firm.

6. Informal.  a very intelligent or brilliant person.

7. Informal.

   1. the controlling or guiding mechanism in a computer, robot, pacemaker, etc.

   2. the part of a computer system for coordination or guidance, as of a missile.

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verb (used with object)

1. to smash the skull of.

2. Slang.  to hit or bang (someone) on the head.

idioms

1. beat one's brains out,  to try very hard to understand and work out a problem, remember something, etc..

   She beat her brains out studying for the exam.

2. have something on the brain,  to have an obsession; be occupied with.

   Lately I seem to have food on the brain.

3. pick someone's brains,  to obtain information by questioning another person rather than by seeking it independently.

   He refused to prepare for the exam but counted on being able to pick his roommate's brains.

brain British  

/ breɪn /

noun

1. Technical name: encephalon.  the soft convoluted mass of nervous tissue within the skull of vertebrates that is the controlling and coordinating centre of the nervous system and the seat of thought, memory, and emotion. It includes the cerebrum, brainstem, and cerebellum

2. the main neural bundle or ganglion of certain invertebrates

3. informal  (often plural) intellectual ability

   he's got brains

4. informal  shrewdness or cunning

5. informal  an intellectual or intelligent person

6. informal  (usually plural; functioning as singular) a person who plans and organizes an undertaking or is in overall control of an organization, etc

7. an electronic device, such as a computer, that performs apparently similar functions to the human brain

8. constantly in mind

   I had that song on the brain

9. to obtain information or ideas from someone

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verb

1. to smash the skull of

2. slang  to hit hard on the head

brain Scientific  

/ brān /

1. The part of the nervous system in vertebrates that is enclosed within the skull, is connected with the spinal cord, and is composed of gray matter and white matter. It is the control center of the central nervous system, receiving sensory impulses from the rest of the body and transmitting motor impulses for the regulation of voluntary movement. The brain also contains the centers of consciousness, thought, language, memory, and emotion.

2. See more at brainstem cerebellum cerebrum

3. A bundle of nerves in many invertebrate animals that is similar to the vertebrate brain in function and position.

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brain Cultural  

1. The central organ in the nervous system, protected by the skull. The brain consists of the medulla, which sends signals from the spinal cord to the rest of the brain and also controls the autonomic nervous system; the pons, a mass of nerve fibers connected to the medulla; the cerebellum, which controls balance and coordination; and the cerebrum, the outer layer of which, the cerebral cortex, is the location of memory, sight, speech, and other higher functions. The cerebrum contains two hemispheres (the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere), each of which controls different functions. In general, the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body and such functions as spatial perception, whereas the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and functions such as speech. Under the cerebral cortex are the thalamus, the main relay center between the medulla and the cerebrum; and the hypothalamus, which controls blood pressure, body temperature, hunger, thirst, sex drive, and other visceral functions.

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brain More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing brain

• beat one's brains out
• blow one's brains out
• on one's mind (the brain)
• pick someone's brains
• rack one's brains

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Usage

What is a basic definition of brain? The brain is the organ in humans and animals that’s responsible for thought processes. The plural form brains refers to intelligence or a person who is the smartest member of a group. The word brain has several other senses as a noun and a few as a verb.Your brain is a squishy organ located inside your head and is protected by your skull. The brain is highly complex. It is the seat of all your conscious thoughts and unconscious impulses and is like the control center of the body, allowing you to do things like speak, move your muscles, and breathe without thinking. The brain, spinal cord, and nerves make up the nervous system.Real-life examples: You and every other person have a brain. Animals have brains too, although they aren’t capable of doing all of the things the human brain is able to do. Your brain is very important and has a vast number of jobs, such as keeping all of your memories, telling your other organs what to do, and helping you read these words.Used in a sentence The brain is the most complex and perhaps the most studied organ.  The plural form brains is used as a term for intelligence or intellect. This usage alludes to the brain being the organ that handles thinking.Real-life examples: You may have heard a person being described as having brains. This means they are smart and able to figure things out, especially difficult or complex problems.Used in a sentence: I have to study hard to do well in math, but my sister has brains and aces her tests without studying. Relatedly, a person who is considered very smart can be called a brain.Used in a sentence: None of us could figure out the computer problem so we called in Mike, who was a real brain when it comes to fixing them. Brains is also used to refer to the smartest member or members of a group or team, especially the one who comes up with plans.Real-life examples: Movies and shows that feature a heist or a plan often have a person who is referred to as the “brains of the operation.” For example, scientist Bruce Banner often comes up with plans or solutions for the Avengers (when he isn’t getting angry and turning into the Incredible Hulk). In the Harry Potter series, Hermione is definitely the brains of the trio that she forms with Harry and Ron.Used in a sentence: Everyone knew that Edd was the real brains behind the money-making schemes.

Related Words

See mind.

Other Word Forms

• brainlike adjective
• superbrain noun

Etymology

Origin of brain

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English bræg(e)n, bregen; cognate with Low German brägen, Dutch brein; akin to Greek brégma; bregma ( def. )

Example Sentences

“Problems with his brain? Um. Can you give me a little more context?”

From Salon

Neuroscientists at the University of Cambridge report that the human brain moves through five "major epochs" as it rewires itself from early development to late old age.

From Science Daily

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine report that they have successfully used a "zap-and-freeze" method to capture rapid communication between brain cells in living tissue from both mice and humans.

From Science Daily

Pathway has identified what Stamirowska calls equations of reasoning, fundamental mathematical axioms that explain how intelligence emerges from smaller, local interactions in the brain, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal

In subsequent years, voting has played only a part in the choices, which have included 2023's "rizz" -- a colloquial term defined as "style, charm, or attractiveness" -- and last year's "brain rot".

From Barron's

Related Words

• head
• intellect
• mind