Meaning & use
brain waves
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Meanings
nounpluraltechnical
Electrical signals produced by the brain, often measured to study sleep, thinking, or medical conditions.
Grammar: Usually plural: 'brain waves'. The singular 'brain wave' is used for one signal or one idea.
Patterns
- brain waves are measured
- monitor brain waves
The doctor measured her brain waves during sleep.
Different patterns of brain waves can show how deeply someone is sleeping.
nouncountableinformalBritish
A sudden clever idea or inspiration.
Grammar: Often used in the singular: 'a brainwave'. In American English, 'a brainstorm' is more common for this meaning.
Patterns
- have a brainwave
- a brainwave
I had a brainwave: why not ask your sister for help?
Then he had a brainwave and solved the problem.
Word forms
| singular | brain wave |
|---|
Common combinations
- measure brain waves
- Scientists measure brain waves to understand how the brain works.
- brain wave activity
- The test showed unusual brain wave activity.
- have a brainwave
- She had a brainwave and found the perfect gift.
Synonyms and how they differ
- neural oscillations
- A more technical term used in scientific writing; 'brain waves' is the everyday term.
- idea
- For the second sense, 'idea' is more general; 'brainwave' suggests a sudden, clever idea.
Word family
- brainwave noun
- Singular form, often meaning a sudden good idea.
Practice
In a medical context, what are 'brain waves'?
Choose one answer.
In medicine and science, 'brain waves' refer to electrical signals produced by the brain. They are not related to ocean waves or headaches.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “brain waves”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.