brain

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. your ability to think, learn, and solve problems.

n. intellectual capacity or mental ability; often used in the plural to refer to high intelligence.

“She has the brains to become a doctor if she works hard.”

“It took a lot of brains to figure out the logistics of moving the entire office over a single weekend.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a person who is very intelligent.

n. a highly intelligent person, often one who provides the intellectual leadership for a project.

“Ask Sarah for help with the math homework; she is the brain of the class.”

“He was known as the brain behind the operation, coordinating every technical detail from the home office.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Computing

n. the part of a machine or computer that does the thinking and calculations.

n. the central processing unit or control mechanism of a machine, likened to a biological brain.

“The computer's brain was damaged when the coffee spilled on the desk.”

“The onboard computer serves as the brain of the spacecraft, managing life support and navigation systems simultaneously.”

C2 · Proficiency Informal

v. to hit someone very hard on the head.

v. to strike someone forcefully on the head; historically, to kill by smashing the skull.

“The cartoon character tried to brain the giant with a large wooden hammer.”

“In the old adventure novel, the hero nearly got brained by a falling rock while escaping the cave.”