forebrain

American  

[fawr-breyn, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌbreɪn, ˈfoʊr- /

noun

Anatomy.

1. Also called prosencephalon.  the anterior of the three primary divisions of the brain in the embryo of a vertebrate, or the part of the adult brain derived from this tissue including the diencephalon and telencephalon.

2. the telencephalon.

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forebrain British  

/ ˈfɔːˌbreɪn /

noun

1. the nontechnical name for prosencephalon

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forebrain Scientific  

/ fôr′brān′ /

1. The forwardmost part of the vertebrate brain. In humans, it consists of the thalamus, the hypothalamus, and the cerebrum.

2. Compare hindbrain midbrain

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Etymology

Origin of forebrain

First recorded in 1875–80; fore- + brain

Example Sentences

GLP-1 receptor agonists suppress thirst as well as appetite, and a region in the forebrain of rats called the median preoptic area appears to be involved in this effect.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2025

The forebrain, or cerebral cortex, is the largest part of the brain, important for a wide range of function, ranging from cognitive thought, vision, attention and memory.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2024

The neuron density of its forebrain — the region engaged with planning, sensory processing, and emotional responses, and on which REM sleep is largely dependent — is comparable to that of primates.

From New York Times • Mar. 26, 2024

The researchers used tissue from different brain regions including the cortex, forebrain, and spinal cord, cutting the samples into layers and placing each in a separate dish with molecules that tell the cells to grow.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 9, 2024

The evagination to form the hypophysis, p, is seen against the floor of the forebrain, fb.

From Development of the Digestive Canal of the American Alligator by Reese, C. M.