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brainpower

American  
[breyn-pou-er] / ˈbreɪnˌpaʊ ər /

noun

  1. intellectual capacity; mental ability.

  2. people with superior mental abilities.

    an emergency medical conference of all available brainpower.
brainpower British  
/ ˈbreɪnˌpaʊə /

noun

  1. intelligence; mental ability

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of brainpower

First recorded in 1875–80; brain + power

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Many have questioned Brook's brainpower during his England career and at times this winter he has made it hard not to wonder.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

The theme of season 2 is “Strong vs. Smart,” pitting 100 athletically inclined contestants against 100 contestants who run on brainpower.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2026

All that brainpower would have been for naught, however, save for the beneficence of Uncle Sam.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2025

The changes under Bhargava, said LaMarche, “will be a huge infusion of money, brainpower, and strategic thinking.”

From Seattle Times • Mar. 7, 2024

Jonah decided to apply his brainpower to Katherine’s list instead of her love interests.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.