amygdala

noun

amyg·​da·​la ə-ˈmig-də-lə 

plural amygdalae ə-ˈmig-də-ˌlē 

-ˌlī

: the one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere that is part of the limbic system and consists of an almond-shaped mass of gray matter in the anterior extremity of the temporal lobe

called also amygdaloid nucleus

Examples of amygdala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The key to a mindset that welcomes feedback is to extract a positive element from the negative feedback, allowing the brain’s activity to shift from the amygdala to the frontal lobes. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Research shows that affect labeling reduces amygdala activation, facilitating cognitive control. —Andriana Eliadis, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

But how, exactly, does the basolateral amygdala influence our decisions to help others? —Tobias Kalenscher, Scientific American, 13 June 2025

From a neuroscience perspective, messages that evoke strong emotions activate the amygdala, the brain’s center for emotional processing. —Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, almond, from Greek amygdalē

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amygdala

• areola
• allah
• bala
• cala
• cholla
• mala
• sala
• scala
• cabala
• corolla
• impala
• kabbalah

Medical Definition

amygdala

noun

amyg·​da·​la ə-ˈmig-də-lə 

plural amygdalae -ˌlē  -ˌlī 

: the one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere that is part of the limbic system and consists of an almond-shaped mass of gray matter in the roof of the lateral ventricle

called also amygdaloid body, amygdaloid nucleus