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
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When your body recognizes a strong emotion tied to a food smell, the emotional center of your brain – the amygdala – alerts the part of your brain that forms and stores long-term memories, your hippocampus.
—
Bryn Beeder, The Conversation, 17 Nov. 2025
For example, a region of their brain called the amygdala, which tends to be smaller than average in people who are psychopathic tends to be larger than average in people who are very altruistic.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
Stress can lead to shrinkage in specific areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus, while also causing negative changes in the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Our amygdala is overactive, our nervous systems are fried and our dopamine cycles are hijacked by short-term stimuli.
—Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
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Bryn Beeder, The Conversation, 17 Nov. 2025
For example, a region of their brain called the amygdala, which tends to be smaller than average in people who are psychopathic tends to be larger than average in people who are very altruistic.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025
Stress can lead to shrinkage in specific areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus, while also causing negative changes in the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
Our amygdala is overactive, our nervous systems are fried and our dopamine cycles are hijacked by short-term stimuli.
—Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for amygdala
Cite this Entry
“Amygdala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amygdala. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
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amygdala
noun
amyg·da·la
ə-ˈmig-də-lə
: 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
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