engram

American  

[en-gram] / ˈɛn græm /

noun

1. a presumed encoding in neural tissue that provides a physical basis for the persistence of memory; a memory trace.

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engram British  

/ ˈɛnɡræm /

noun

1. psychol the physical basis of an individual memory in the brain See also memory trace

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Other Word Forms

• engrammic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of engram

First recorded in 1905–10; en- ² + -gram ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

engram

According to the study, tau is active during this critical stage of memory formation, helping determine exactly which engram cells are recruited to preserve the experience.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

As learning takes place, tau undergoes a subtle chemical change called phosphorylation, which helps coordinate the activity of engram cells.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

They also conducted experiments that allowed a single engram cell to be tracked across experiences and time.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 19, 2024

"We wanted to know: What is happening during this consolidation process? What happens between the time that an engram is formed and when you need to recall that memory later?"

From Science Daily ● Jan. 19, 2024

Moreover, an engram may be revived by the enfeebled return of the primary irritating agent which produced it, or by an analogous enfeebled irritation.

From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Auguste Forel