Meaning & use
cerebrum
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Meaning
nouncountabletechnicalbiologymedical
The largest upper part of the brain, controlling conscious thought, voluntary movement, language, and memory.
Grammar: Countable, but usually singular in medical contexts; the plural is cerebra or cerebrums.
Patterns
- the cerebrum
- the human cerebrum
- damage to the cerebrum
The cerebrum is divided into two hemispheres connected by a thick band of nerve fibers.
Injury to the cerebrum can affect speech, movement, and memory.
The cerebrum makes up most of the brain's mass in humans.
Word forms
| plural | cerebra |
|---|---|
| plural | cerebrums |
Common combinations
- cerebral cortex
- The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the cerebrum.
- cerebral hemisphere
- Each cerebral hemisphere contains four lobes.
- cerebrospinal fluid
- Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Synonyms and how they differ
- forebrain
- A broader term that includes the cerebrum and some deeper structures; use it when you mean the whole front part of the brain, not just the outer folded part.
Word family
- cerebral adjective
- Relating to the cerebrum or to the brain; also used to describe thought that is intellectual rather than emotional.
- cerebellum noun
- The smaller part at the back of the brain that coordinates movement and balance.
Commonly confused: cerebrum or cerebellum?
cerebrum vs cerebellum
The cerebellum is a separate, smaller structure at the back of the brain responsible for balance and coordination, while the cerebrum handles thinking, language, and voluntary movement.
Practice
Which part of the brain is mainly responsible for conscious thought and language?
Choose one answer.
The cerebrum is the large upper part of the brain that controls conscious thought, voluntary movement, language, and memory. The cerebellum, by contrast, coordinates balance and movement.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cerebrum”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.