prefrontal

adjective pre·fron·tal \ (ˌ)prē-ˈfrən-tᵊl \

Definition of prefrontal

: anterior to or involving the anterior part of a frontal structure

a prefrontal bone

Recent Examples of prefrontal from the Web

The most significant differences in brain volume were seen in the temporal and prefrontal lobes, including areas associated with activity, attention, and motor control.

— amy ellis nutt, chicagotribune.com, "Brain abnormalities found in 4- and 5-year-olds with ADHD, researchers say," 26 Mar. 2018
The group that played the nonviolent game showed more activity in the prefrontal parts of the brain, which are involved in inhibition, concentration and self-control.

— Bloomberg.com, "Trump Reopens a Seemingly Settled Video-Game Debate," 7 Mar. 2018
The presence of his adored Rose, who would spend her life in mental institutions after being given a prefrontal lobotomy, feels especially vivid.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Tennessee Williams, Restless and Revising," 12 Feb. 2018
The prefrontal region functions include: decision-making, impulse control, logical thinking and risk management, among other things.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Readers write: Letters to the editor, September 22, 2017," 22 Sep. 2017
In 1949, the prize for medicine was awarded to Antonio Moniz for inventing prefrontal lobotomy, which turned people into walking shells of themselves and termed them cured. Enough said.

— devang mehta, Slate Magazine, "Nobel Prizes Should Reward Science, Not Scientists," 3 Oct. 2017
One region, the anterior prefrontal cortex, is known for integrating new information from the environment with long-term memories, which could translate into making price comparisons and forming expectations, researchers say.

— amanda macmillan, Time, "Why Wine Tastes Better When It Costs More," 16 Aug. 2017
Women displayed way more brain activity in the prefrontal cortex, the region that deals with decision making, focus and impulse control.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "Science Says Women Have a More Active Brain, Compared to Men," 8 Aug. 2017
A front and prefrontal wind shift will mix it up with this heat and humidity tomorrow to produce a risk of severe storms.

— ian livingston, Washington Post, "PM Update: A shower or storm possible this evening, better chances Friday when some could be severe," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prefrontal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of prefrontal

1854

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

prefrontal

noun

Definition of prefrontal

: a prefrontal part (such as a bone)

Recent Examples of prefrontal from the Web

During the adolescent years the prefrontal cortex, the portion of your brain that sits just behind your forehead, is still forming.

— molly lotz, The Denver Post, "Science behind marijuana empowers teens," 14 Apr. 2017
The combination of social media pressure and an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain that helps us rationalize decisions, control impulsivity and make judgments, can contribute to offensive online posts.

— ana homayoun, New York Times, "The Secret Social Media Lives of Teenagers," 7 June 2017
And when people refused to profit from harming others, the prefrontal cortex increased its communication with the striatum.

— molly crockett, Scientific American Blog Network, "Why We Forgo Self-Interest for Others' Sake," 15 May 2017
The prefrontal cortex trims away neural connections that are not needed and begins the process of myelination, or wrapping nerve cells in myelin.

— molly lotz, The Denver Post, "Science behind marijuana empowers teens," 14 Apr. 2017