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.

The first records of brain come from before the year 1000. It comes from the Old English brægen (“brain”). This term is related to other words for brain, such as the Old Frisian brein, the Middle Low German brēgen, and Greek brekhmos (“forehead”).

What are some other forms related to brain?

• brainlike (adjective)
• superbrain (noun)

What are some synonyms for brains?

• intelligence
• intellect
• smarts

What are some words that share a root or word element with brain? 

• brainy
• brainstorm
• brain freeze
• brainiac
• braindead

What are some words that often get used in discussing brain?

• nervous system
• thought
• use
• hurts

Brain is a common word that refers to either the organ in your skull or your intellect.

I wonder what the part of my brain that used to remember phone numbers is up to these days ☺️

— RiCKY🇿🇼🇿🇼🇿🇼 (@ricardothezimbo) November 22, 2020

If I need to be the brains of the operation, we're in big trouble.

— Captain Connecticut (@byronblurb) December 30, 2012

did anyone else get lost at the end of The Witcher? I legit don't have the brains for it

— dakotaz (@dakotaz) January 7, 2020

True or False?

Someone who is described as having brains is usually someone who is very smart.