brain Meaning & Definition
What Does Brain Mean?
Brain is used as a noun meaning The control center of the central nervous system of an animal located in the skull, consisting of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem, which is responsible for perception, cognition, attention, memory, emotion, and action. It is also used to mean A part of the brain, especially associated with particular mental functions, abilities, etc. As a verb, it means To dash out the brains of; to kill by smashing the skull.
Word Facts for Brain
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈbɹeɪ̯n// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | head, nous and mind |
| Plural | brains |
| Verb forms | brains, braining, brained |
Brain Definition (Noun)
- The control center of the central nervous system of an animal located in the skull, consisting of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem, which is responsible for perception, cognition, attention, memory, emotion, and action.
- A part of the brain, especially associated with particular mental functions, abilities, etc.
- skull; head
- Mind.
I have too much on my brain today.
- Intellect.
She has a lot of brains.
- An intelligent person.
She was a total brain.
- A person who provides the intelligence required for something.
He is the brains behind the scheme.
- An intellectual or mental capacity.
Gerald always acts like he doesn't have a brain.
- By analogy with a human brain, the part of a machine or computer that performs calculations.
The computer's brain is capable of millions of calculations a second.
- Oral sex.
- A loose compartment of a backpack that straps on over the top opening.
Brain as a Verb
- To dash out the brains of; to kill by smashing the skull.
- To strike (someone) on the head.
- To destroy; to put an end to.
- To conceive in the mind; to understand.
- To think effectively.
My brain isn't braining right now.
Noun
- The control center of the central nervous system of an animal located in the skull which is responsible for perception, cognition, attention, memory, emotion, and action.
- (in the plural) Intellect.
She has a lot of brains.
Synonyms of Brain
Antonyms of Brain
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Brain in a Sentence
I have too much on my brain today.
She has a lot of brains.
She was a total brain.
He is the brains behind the scheme.
Gerald always acts like he doesn't have a brain.
The computer's brain is capable of millions of calculations a second.
My brain isn't braining right now.
Word Forms & Grammar
brain (countable and uncountable, plural brains)
brain (third-person singular simple present brains, present participle braining, simple past and past participle brained)
Words That Rhyme With Brain
Origin of Brain
Origin 1: Inherited from Middle English brayn, from Old English bræġn, from Proto-West Germanic *bragn, from Proto-Germanic *bragną, from Proto-Indo-European *mrógʰ-n̥ ~ *mrégʰ-n̥-s, from *mregʰ- + *-n̥.
Origin 2: Cognate with Scots braine, brane (“brain”), North Frisian brayen, brein, Brain (“brain”), Saterland Frisian Brainge, Bräienge (“brain”), West Frisian brein (“brain”), Dutch brein (“brain”), Low German Brägen, Bregen (“brain”) (whence German Bregen (“animal brain”)), Ancient Greek βρεχμός (brekhmós, “front part of the skull, top of the head”).
Pronouncing Brain
The standard pronunciation of brain is //ˈbɹeɪ̯n//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Questions People Ask About Brain
Is brain a noun or a verb?
Brain is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for brain?
Close synonyms of brain are head, nous and mind. See the full list of brain synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of brain?
The plural of brain is brains.
What is the past tense of brain?
The past tense of brain is brained. The present participle is braining.