brain wave

noun

Usually brain waves. Medicine/Medical. electrical potentials or impulses given off by brain tissue. Compare alpha rhythm, beta rhythm, delta rhythm.
Informal. a sudden idea or inspiration; brainstorm.

Origin of brain wave

First recorded in 1865–70

Words nearby brain wave

brain sugar, brain swelling, brain trust, brain truster, brain up, brain wave, brain's reflex, brain-fever bird, brain-picking, brain-teaser, brain-trust

Example sentences from the Web for brainwave

  • "It was a sort of second-sight—what they call a brainwave," Nick smiled.

    The Tragic Muse |Henry James

  • Thought exchange by "brainwave" is wonderful, even if we still need a little speech as auxiliary.

    The Brain |Alexander Blade

British Dictionary definitions for brainwave (1 of 2)

brainwave
/ (ˈbreɪnˌweɪv) /

noun

informal a sudden inspiration or idea Also called: brainstorm

British Dictionary definitions for brainwave (2 of 2)

brain wave

noun

any of the fluctuations of electrical potential in the brain as represented on an electroencephalogram. They vary in frequency from 1 to 30 hertz See also alpha rhythm, beta rhythm, delta rhythm

Medical definitions for brainwave

brain wave

n.

A rhythmic fluctuation of electric potential between parts of the brain, as seen on an electroencephalogram.