cranium

American  

[krey-nee-uhm] / ˈkreɪ ni əm /

noun

plural

craniums, crania

1. the skull of a vertebrate.

2. the part of the skull that encloses the brain.

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cranium British  

/ ˈkreɪnɪəm /

noun

1. the skull of a vertebrate

2. Nontechnical name: brainpan.  the part of the skull that encloses the brain

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cranium Scientific  

/ krā′nē-əm /

plural

craniums

1. The vertebrate skull, especially the part that encloses and protects the brain.

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cranium Cultural  

1. The part of the skull that encloses the brain.

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Etymology

Origin of cranium

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English craneum, from Medieval Latin crānium, from Greek krāníon “skull”; akin to kerato-, cerebrum, cornu, horn

Explanation

Your cranium is your skull, the hard bone of your head that protects your brain from injury. Take care of your cranium; it's your built-in helmet! The skull is composed of two primary parts: the cranium, which houses the brain, and the mandible, or jawbone. While the cranium acts as a protective "braincase," it also provides the structural foundation for the facial skeleton. In some animals, the cranium is reinforced so that defensive features, such as horns or antlers, can be anchored directly to the bone. The word comes from the Greek kranion, "upper part of the head," from the root word kara, "head."

Example Sentences

Called Nebula PMR 1, the object has a striking appearance that resembles a brain inside a transparent skull, which is why it has been nicknamed the "Exposed Cranium" nebula.

From Science Daily • Mar. 17, 2026

After the success of Cranium, their company released dozens of other games and toys, including the children’s games Cadoo and Cariboo.

From New York Times • Aug. 3, 2022

Adam Tratt, a colleague from Tait’s early Cranium days, recalls Tait came to him one day with a “crude prototype of a board game” in a shoebox and asked for his feedback.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 1, 2022

Ichabod Cranium: He had something the Headless Horseman really wanted.

From Washington Post • Aug. 8, 2019

“I'll settle him,” said Squire Headlong; and immediately posted up to Mr Cranium, informing him that four marriages were about to take place by way of a merry winding up of the Christmas festivities.

From Headlong Hall by Peacock, Thomas Love