# hippocampus

/ˌhɪpoʊˈkæmpəs/ (US) · /hˈɪpəkˌæmpəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hippocampus
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. part of the brain

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a part of your brain that is very important for memory and learning your way around places.

For teachers: a major component of the brain of humans and other vertebrates, forming part of the limbic system and involved in the formation of new memories.

- Damage to the hippocampus can make it very difficult for a person to form new memories.
- Neuroscientists have observed that the hippocampus plays a vital role in consolidating information from short-term memory to long-term memory.

Usage: Usually used with the definite article 'the' when referring to the specific brain structure.

### 2. mythical creature

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a creature from old Greek stories that has the head and front legs of a horse and the tail of a fish.

For teachers: a mythological sea monster depicted as having the forequarters of a horse and the hindquarters of a fish or dolphin.

- The ancient fountain was decorated with statues of a hippocampus and other sea creatures.
- In classical art, the chariot of Poseidon was frequently depicted as being drawn by a pair of powerful hippocampi through the waves.

## Examples

- The hippocampus is essential for forming new memories.
- Researchers found that patients with damage to the hippocampus often struggle to remember where they parked their car.
- The hippocampus plays a critical role in the formation of declarative memories, allowing individuals to recall specific events and facts, while also serving as the primary interface for spatial memory and navigation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.