brain

[ breyn ]

noun

1. Anatomy, Zoology. the part of the central nervous system enclosed in the cranium of humans and other vertebrates, consisting of a soft, convoluted mass of gray and white matter and serving to control and coordinate the mental and physical actions.
2. Zoology. (in many invertebrates) a part of the nervous system more or less corresponding to the brain of vertebrates.
3. Sometimes brains. (used with a plural verb) understanding; intellectual power; intelligence.

   Synonyms: capacity, sense

4. the brain as the center of thought, understanding, etc.; mind; intellect.
5. brains, Slang. a member of a group who is regarded as its intellectual leader or planner:

   The junior partner is the brains of the firm.

6. Informal. a very intelligent or brilliant person.
7. Informal.
   1. the controlling or guiding mechanism in a computer, robot, pacemaker, etc.
   2. the part of a computer system for coordination or guidance, as of a missile.

verb (used with object)

1. to smash the skull of.
2. Slang. to hit or bang (someone) on the head.

brain

/ breɪn /

noun

1. the soft convoluted mass of nervous tissue within the skull of vertebrates that is the controlling and coordinating centre of the nervous system and the seat of thought, memory, and emotion. It includes the cerebrum, brainstem, and cerebellum Technical nameencephalon cerebralencephalic
2. the main neural bundle or ganglion of certain invertebrates
3. informal.
   often plural intellectual ability

   he's got brains

4. informal.
   shrewdness or cunning
5. informal.
   an intellectual or intelligent person
6. informal.
   usually plural; functioning as singular a person who plans and organizes an undertaking or is in overall control of an organization, etc
7. an electronic device, such as a computer, that performs apparently similar functions to the human brain
8. on the brain
   constantly in mind

   I had that song on the brain

9. pick someone's brain
   to obtain information or ideas from someone

verb

1. to smash the skull of
2. slang.
   to hit hard on the head

brain

/ brān /

1. The part of the nervous system in vertebrates that is enclosed within the skull, is connected with the spinal cord, and is composed of gray matter and white matter. It is the control center of the central nervous system, receiving sensory impulses from the rest of the body and transmitting motor impulses for the regulation of voluntary movement. The brain also contains the centers of consciousness, thought, language, memory, and emotion.
2. See more at brainstem
3. A bundle of nerves in many invertebrate animals that is similar to the vertebrate brain in function and position.

brain

1. The central organ in the nervous system , protected by the skull. The brain consists of the medulla , which sends signals from the spinal cord to the rest of the brain and also controls the autonomic nervous system ; the pons , a mass of nerve fibers connected to the medulla; the cerebellum , which controls balance and coordination; and the cerebrum , the outer layer of which, the cerebral cortex , is the location of memory, sight, speech, and other higher functions. The cerebrum contains two hemispheres (the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere), each of which controls different functions. In general, the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body and such functions as spatial perception, whereas the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and functions such as speech. Under the cerebral cortex are the thalamus , the main relay center between the medulla and the cerebrum; and the hypothalamus , which controls blood pressure , body temperature, hunger, thirst, sex drive, and other visceral functions.

Other Words From

• brainlike adjective
• super·brain noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of brain¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English bræg(e)n, bregen; cognate with Low German brägen, Dutch brein; akin to Greek brégma; bregma ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of brain¹

Old English brægen ; related to Old Frisian brein , Middle Low German bregen , Greek brekhmos forehead

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. beat one's brains out, Informal. to try very hard to understand and work out a problem, remember something, etc.:

   She beat her brains out studying for the exam.

2. have something on the brain, to have an obsession; be occupied with:

   Lately I seem to have food on the brain.

3. pick someone's brains, to obtain information by questioning another person rather than by seeking it independently:

   He refused to prepare for the exam but counted on being able to pick his roommate's brains.

More idioms and phrases containing brain

• beat one's brains out
• blow one's brains out
• on one's mind (the brain)
• pick someone's brains
• rack one's brains

Synonym Study

See mind.

Example Sentences

The study aimed to digitally reconstruct the brain of the bird, which it has named Navaornis hestiae, to determine the evolutionary origins of the modern avian brain.

From BBC

However, most areas of its brain were less developed, suggesting that it had not yet evolved the complex flight-control mechanisms of modern birds.

From BBC

"This might be just one fossil, but it’s a key piece in the puzzle of bird brain evolution," he said.

From BBC

“Elon was texting me this morning. Think about having the brain of Elon Musk to sacrifice his time away from his businesses to help every single American make government more efficient, more accountable,” McCarthy said.

From Los Angeles Times

Folic acid is particularly important in early pregnancy, aiding proper development of the baby's brain, skull and spinal cord.

From BBC

Related Words

• head
• intellect
• mind