brain

[ breyn ]

/ breɪn /

noun

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.

Zoology. (in many invertebrates) a part of the nervous system more or less corresponding to the brain of vertebrates.

Sometimes brains. (used with a plural verb) understanding; intellectual power; intelligence.

the brain as the center of thought, understanding, etc.; mind; intellect.

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.

Informal. a very intelligent or brilliant person.

Informal.

the controlling or guiding mechanism in a computer, robot, pacemaker, etc.
the part of a computer system for coordination or guidance, as of a missile.

verb (used with object)

to smash the skull of.

Slang. to hit or bang (someone) on the head.

Idioms for brain

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.

have something on the brain, to have an obsession; be occupied with: Lately I seem to have food on the brain.

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.

Origin of brain

before 1000; Middle English; Old English bræg(e)n, bregen; cognate with Low German brägen, Dutch brein

SYNONYMS FOR brain

3 sense; capacity. See mind.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR brain ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM brain

brain·like, adjective su·per·brain, noun

Words nearby brain

brail, braille, braillewriter, braillist, brailowsky, brain, brain candy, brain cell, brain concussion, brain coral, brain damage

Example sentences from the Web for brain

We have to use common sense inclusiveness, because we are quickly getting to a place where our brain is falling out.

A Field General in the War on Christmas |David Freedlander |December 24, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Related: The 10 Best Apps for Your Brain As you age, your brain changes.

Running 15 Miles a Week Could Slash Alzheimer’s Risk |DailyBurn |December 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
You lose connectivity between portions of your brain, and some regions even experience shrinkage, according to Williams.

Running 15 Miles a Week Could Slash Alzheimer’s Risk |DailyBurn |December 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Not only did a cherished character get a bullet to the brain, but things are only going to get worse on The Walking Dead.

‘Walking Dead’ Showrunner Scott Gimple Teases ‘Darker, Weirder’ Times Ahead |Melissa Leon |December 2, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

But researchers say recall and storytelling work on the brain in unique ways.

Drawing on the Memories of Syrian Women |Masha Hamilton |November 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
During our first ten miles' ride I was racking my brain for something to say when I should jump up to make my first sale.

Twenty Years of Hus'ling |J. P. Johnston
There is also apparently no superiority in brain weight in modern over ancient times.

Sex and Society |William I. Thomas
The term struck Doggies brain with a thud, like the explosive fusion of two elements.

The Rough Road |William John Locke
It is the passion of the body swamping the brain; it's an ape that has seized a gun, a beautiful modern gun.

The Passionate Friends |Herbert George Wells
His sentiments apparently fell no further towards his heart than that; his brain belonged to the bridge of his nose.

The Entailed Hat |George Alfred Townsend

British Dictionary definitions for brain

brain

/ (breɪn) /

noun

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 name: encephalon Related adjectives: cerebral, encephalic

the main neural bundle or ganglion of certain invertebrates

(often plural) informal intellectual ability he's got brains

informal shrewdness or cunning

informal an intellectual or intelligent person

(usually plural; functioning as singular) informal a person who plans and organizes an undertaking or is in overall control of an organization, etc

an electronic device, such as a computer, that performs apparently similar functions to the human brain

on the brain constantly in mind I had that song on the brain

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

verb (tr)

to smash the skull of

slang to hit hard on the head

Word Origin for brain

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

Medical definitions for brain

brain

[ brān ]

n.

The portion of the central nervous system that is enclosed within the cranium, continuous with the spinal cord, and composed of gray matter and white matter. It is the primary center for the regulation and control of bodily activities, receiving and interpreting sensory impulses, and transmitting information to the muscles and body organs. It is also the seat of consciousness, thought, memory, and emotion. encephalon

Scientific definitions for brain

brain

[ brān ]

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. See more at brainstem cerebellum cerebrum.

A bundle of nerves in many invertebrate animals that is similar to the vertebrate brain in function and position.

Cultural definitions for brain

brain

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.

Idioms and Phrases with brain

brain

In addition to the idioms beginning with brain

brain drain
brain someone
brain trust

also see:

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

brain