right brain

American  

noun

1. the cerebral hemisphere on the right side of the corpus callosum, controlling activity on the left side of the body, showing in humans some degree of specialization for spatial and nonverbal concepts.

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right brain Scientific  

1. The cerebral hemisphere located on the right side of the corpus callosum. The right brain controls activities on the left side of the body and, in humans, usually controls perception of spatial relationships and the ability to recognize common shapes and objects. The thought processes involved in creativity and imagination are generally associated with the right brain.

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right brain Cultural  

1. A popular term that describes the artistic and integrating functions of the right half of the cerebral cortex. (Compare left brain; see brain.)

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Etymology

Origin of right brain

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right brain

However, in patients with a split brain, the left-brain interpreter could still create a narrative based on information the right brain had received independently.

From Salon ● May 26, 2025

The author of pop psychology books about motivation, the right brain, and the science of perfect timing, Pink has spent the past 18 months gathering and analyzing thousands of regrets.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 30, 2022

The new research could ultimately provide a better idea of whether targeting just the right brain circuit can lift the penumbra that hangs over a severely depressed person.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 4, 2021

Mum’s nonverbal signals become encoded as implicit, non-conscious strategies that the infant’s right brain will later activate unconsciously to regulate his emotions.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 10, 2020

Sometimes you'll hear brain researchers talk about a "right brain" or a "left brain" skill.

From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman