hippocampus

noun

hip·​po·​cam·​pus ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-pəs 

plural hippocampi ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-ˌpī  -(ˌ)pē 

: a curved elongated ridge that extends over the floor of the descending horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain, that consists of gray matter covered on the ventricular surface with white matter, and that is involved in forming, storing, and processing memory

hippocampal

ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-pəl 

adjective

Examples of hippocampus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a study published last year, Saez and his colleagues used surgical EEG recordings to identify that meditation can lead to changes in brain waves in the amygdala and hippocampus, key brain regions involved in emotional regulation and memory. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 7 June 2026

While the patients were under general anesthesia, surgeons temporarily inserted thin probes into their hippocampus. —Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 6 May 2026

Estrogen receptors are concentrated in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, governing memory, executive function, and decision-making. —Torie Bosch, STAT, 2 May 2026

The hippocampus, the seat of memory, shrinks. —Big Think, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek hippokampos seahorse, from hippos horse + kampos sea monster — more at equine

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hippocampus

• campus
• grampus

Medical Definition

hippocampus

noun

hip·​po·​cam·​pus ˌhip-ə-ˈkam-pəs 

plural hippocampi -ˌpī  -(ˌ)pē 

: a curved elongated ridge that is an important part of the limbic system, extends over the floor of the descending horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain, consists of gray matter covered on the ventricular surface with white matter, and is involved in forming, storing, and processing memory see pes hippocampi