cerebral

[ suh-ree-bruhl, ser-uh- ]

adjective

1. Anatomy, Zoology. of or relating to the cerebrum or the brain.
2. betraying or characterized by the use of the intellect rather than intuition or instinct:

   His is a cerebral music that leaves many people cold.

3. Phonetics. retroflex ( def 2 ).

noun

1. Phonetics. a cerebral sound.

cerebral

/ səˈriːbrəl; ˈsɛrɪbrəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the cerebrum or to the entire brain
2. involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
3. phonetics another word for cacuminal

noun

1. phonetics a consonant articulated in the manner of a cacuminal consonant

cerebral

/ sĕr′ə-brəl,sə-rē′brəl /

1. Relating to or involving the brain or cerebrum.

cerebral

1. A descriptive term for things pertaining to the brain or cerebrum .

Notes

The term is also used figuratively to describe things that appeal to the intellect.

Derived Forms

• ˈcerebrally, adverb

Other Words From

• ce·rebral·ly adverb
• inter·cere·bral adjective
• non·cere·bral adjective
• over·ce·rebral adjective
• post·ce·rebral adjective
• prece·rebral adjective
• sub·cere·bral adjective
• super·ce·rebral adjective
• super·ce·rebral·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cerebral¹

From the New Latin word cerebrālis, dating back to 1795–1805. See cerebrum, -al ¹

Example Sentences

Footballers Matt Crossen, who suffered a brain injury after having a stroke, and Aaron Lucas speak to BBC Sport about representing England at the Cerebral Palsy World Cup in Spain.

From BBC

Lake, a rookie in 2022, said Ramsey was physical and cerebral.

From Los Angeles Times

People in the clinical at-risk groups include anyone with conditions that affect breathing, some heart conditions, kidney or liver disease, diabetes and some conditions that affect the brain or nerves, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy.

From BBC

This warped revival parallels the case of Joey Deacon, a man with cerebral palsy whose appearance on Blue Peter in the 1980s backfired to spark playground mockery, with kids shouting “you're a Joey!”

From BBC

Despite being born "fit and well" Bradley was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

From BBC

Related Words

• analytical
• intelligent