noun ·Uncommon ·College level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   The principal and most anterior part of the brain in vertebrates, which is located in the front area of the skull and divided into two hemispheres, left and right, separated by a fissure. In humans it is the largest part of the brain and is responsible for the integration of complex sensory functions and the initiation and coordination of voluntary activity, and the higher mental functions such as consciousness, thought, reason, emotion, and memory.
2. 2
   anterior portion of the brain consisting of two hemispheres; dominant part of the brain in humans wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

telencephalonarachnoidarbor vitaearchipalliumbetween brainbrain stem

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English cerebrum, from Latin cerebrum (“a brain; a skull”); see there for more.

Related phrases

brain part

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.