brain wave

noun

plural brain waves

1

a

: rhythmic fluctuations of voltage between parts of the brain resulting in the flow of an electric current

b

: a current produced by brain waves

2

: a flash of inspiration : brainstorm sense 1a

We invited the Hill Holliday ad agency in Boston to collaborate on our cover shoot, and its creative director, Lance Jensen, had a brain wave: wouldn't it be eye-catching for our pages to reflect not just the editorial look of the '60s but also the advertising idiom of the time?

—Tina Brown

Examples of brain wave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is the same brain wave dip that occurs when people listen to nonsensical language. —Carol Kinsey Goman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

During this stage, the eyes move, brain wave activity reaches awake levels, breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure increase. —Valerie Cacho, Verywell Health, 29 July 2025

Digital illustration showing brain waves and activity. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025

The slowest brain waves, typically associated with deep sleep. —Paul McClure 29, New Atlas, 29 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for brain wave

• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• enclave
• engrave
• enslave
• forgave
• landgrave
• margrave
• shortwave
• aftershave

Kids Definition

brain wave

noun

: rhythmic changes in voltage between parts of the brain

Medical Definition

brain wave

noun

1

: rhythmic fluctuations of voltage between parts of the brain resulting in the flow of an electric current

2

: a current produced by brain waves compare alpha wave, beta wave