brain drain

noun

: the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another usually for better pay or living conditions

Examples of brain drain in a Sentence

Nothing has been done to stop the brain drain as more and more doctors move away from the area.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ederson, Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne have all left since the start of last year, representing a pretty significant ‘brain drain’. Sam Lee, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026 The huge exodus is also a major brain drain for Ukraine. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026 This brain drain appears to be real. Quanta Magazine, 26 Jan. 2026 In addition to inflation, the country suffers from endemic corruption, mismanagement, and brain drain. Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for brain drain

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brain drain was in 1960

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Cite this Entry

“Brain drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brain%20drain. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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