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

Their temporary electronic face tattoo, or e-tattoo, can read brain waves and not only detect when the ol' gray matter is overworked, but also predict when exhaustion is approaching. —Paul McClure 29, New Atlas, 29 May 2025

By contrast, decreases in alpha and beta brain waves signal mental fatigue. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 29 May 2025

Patients whose brain waves showed both spindles and signatures of cognitive motor dissociation were more likely to regain consciousness, with 76 percent showing evidence of consciousness by the time they were discharged. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025

Even a single glass can interfere with brain waves and suppress REM sleep. —Dr. Samanta Dall’agnese, CNBC, 13 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