NYT Dictionary

BRAIN

/ˈbɹæ̝ɪ̯n/
NounVerbBRAYNGrade 3

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

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.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *mregʰ- Proto-Indo-European *-n̥ Proto-Indo-European *mrógʰ-n̥ ~ *mrégʰ-n̥-s Proto-Germanic *bragną Proto-West Germanic *bragn Old English bræġn Middle English brayn English brain 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. 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”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

encephalonharnsbrainbrain surgeonbrainboxbrainiacdeep thinkerEinsteineggheadgenius

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 9 recorded puzzles:

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