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

Musing over a fireplace in Avignon in 1782 the inventor Joseph-Michel Montgolfier had a brain wave. What if the force lifting the embers from the fire could somehow be controlled and used to carry heavier things, even people?

—Teju Cole

Examples of brain wave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The long reach Optogenetic stimulation of the Sst-Chodl cells in the visual cortex drove delta power—the slowest, highest-amplitude brain waves measured during deep, restorative sleep—up across every layer. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2026

In an ideal world, researchers would hook up volunteers to a polysomnograph to collect objective data on eye and muscle movement and brain wave activity. — Mike McRae 17, New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026

Several tries later, and the app started tracking my brain waves. — David Oliver, USA Today, 17 June 2026

The researchers also found that, compared with novice meditators, people who were more advanced showed even greater increases in theta and theta-alpha brain waves and larger drops in the delta and gamma-1 brain waves. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 7 June 2026

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