hippocampus

noun

hip·​po·​cam·​pus ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-pəs 

plural hippocampi ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-ˌpī  -(ˌ)pē 

: a curved elongated ridge that extends over the floor of the descending horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain, that consists of gray matter covered on the ventricular surface with white matter, and that is involved in forming, storing, and processing memory

hippocampal

ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-pəl 

adjective

Examples of hippocampus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite evidence that levels of omega-3 had risen in the brains of people who took the supplement, there were no improvements in cognition or the size of the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 18 June 2026

The hormone also appears to influence the hippocampus, a memory center that is one of the first brain regions affected by Alzheimer’s disease. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 17 June 2026

The hippocampus is central to memory. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026

Scientists have discovered that the hippocampus, a deep-brain structure that plays a role in memory and spatial navigation, continues to listen, learn and predict the meaning of words while a person is completely anesthetized. —Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek hippokampos seahorse, from hippos horse + kampos sea monster — more at equine

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hippocampus

• campus
• grampus

Medical Definition

hippocampus

noun

hip·​po·​cam·​pus ˌhip-ə-ˈkam-pəs 

plural hippocampi -ˌpī  -(ˌ)pē 

: a curved elongated ridge that is an important part of the limbic system, extends over the floor of the descending horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain, consists of gray matter covered on the ventricular surface with white matter, and is involved in forming, storing, and processing memory see pes hippocampi