neocortex

American  

[nee-oh-kawr-teks] / ˌni oʊˈkɔr tɛks /

noun

plural

neocortices

1. the largest and evolutionarily most recent portion of the cerebral cortex, composed of complex, layered tissue, the site of most of the higher brain functions.

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Other Word Forms

• neocortical adjective

Etymology

Origin of neocortex

First recorded in 1905–10; neo- + cortex

Compare meaning

How does neocortex compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• neocortex vs. cerebral cortex

Example Sentences

“Horses think through energy and pictures,” said Ebsen, meaning they communicate through pure expression, one unfiltered by the neocortex.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025

Neurons in the neocortex: Slow-wave sleep strengthens the connections between them, supporting memory formation.

From Salon • Dec. 17, 2024

"It's fascinating to see that the human brain also shows similar network principles. These insights into cost-efficient information processing in the human neocortex could provide further inspiration for refining AI networks."

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2024

"Our previous understanding of neural architecture in the neocortex is based primarily on findings from animal models such as mice," explains Prof. Jörg Geiger, Director of the Institute for Neurophysiology at Charité.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2024

More important, a specific part of the brain of humans and other primates — the region known as the neocortex, which deals with complex thought and reasoning — is huge by mammal standards.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell