migraine

American  

[mahy-greyn, mee-] / ˈmaɪ greɪn, ˈmi- /

noun

1. an extremely severe paroxysmal headache, usually confined to one side of the head and often associated with nausea; hemicrania.

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migraine British  

/ ˈmaɪ-, ˈmiːɡreɪn /

noun

1. a throbbing headache usually affecting only one side of the head and commonly accompanied by nausea and visual disturbances

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migraine Scientific  

/ mī′grān′ /

1. A severe recurring headache, usually affecting only one side of the head, that is characterized by sharp, throbbing pain and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and visual disturbances. Vasodilation in the brain causes inflammation that results in pain, but the exact cause of migraine is unknown.

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Other Word Forms

• migrainoid
  adjective
• migrainous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of migraine

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin hēmicrānia hemicrania; cf. megrim

Compare meaning

How does migraine compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• headache vs. migraine

Explanation

A migraine is a severe headache. When you get a migraine, you'll probably want to stay in bed, in a dark room, until it passes. When you get a headache that's so painful that you can't work or function, you've probably got a migraine. It's usually women who get migraines, and you are either a person who gets migraines throughout your life, or you never get one at all. Migraines often come with side effects like nausea and blurred vision, and they often affect just one side of the head. The word comes from the Greek hemi-, "half" and kranion, "skull."

Example Sentences

Migraine is often underdiagnosed and untreated, and even when it is treated, it can be difficult to treat early enough as well as find strategies to prevent attacks.

From Science Daily • Jan. 24, 2024

Migraine treatment Ajovy's sales rose 16% to $57 million.

From Reuters • Aug. 2, 2023

The Migraine Trust welcomed the decision but was "disappointed" the drug was not being made more widely available for treating migraines once they start.

From BBC • May 31, 2023

The case illuminates the challenges employees with migraines can face in navigating the workplace, according to the American Migraine Foundation, an advocacy group.

From Washington Post • Aug. 18, 2022

When Dad got extra stressed at work, he’d pinch the bridge of his nose and say, Migraine.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

Related Words

• headache
• sick headache