Meanings
nounbrainwave (plural brainwaves)
plural brainwaves · alternative brain wave
- Any of many rhythmic fluctuations of electric potential between parts of the brain, especially those seen on an electroencephalogram.
- A sudden idea, understanding, or inspiration; a brainstorm.
Synonyms & antonyms
noun(neurophysiology) rapid fluctuations of voltage between parts of the cerebral cortex that are detectable with an electroencephalograph
Similar
brain wavecortical potential
Broader
nounthe clear (and often sudden) understanding of a complex situation
Similar
Also see
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
Translations
Chinese Mandarin 腦波 /脑波, 靈光一閃 /灵光一闪
- 腦波 /脑波 (nǎobō)any of many rhythmic fluctuations of electric potential between parts of the brain
- 靈光一閃 /灵光一闪 (língguāngyīshǎn)sudden idea, understanding, or inspiration
Finnish aivoaalto, älynväläys
- aivoaaltoany of many rhythmic fluctuations of electric potential between parts of the brain
- älynväläyssudden idea, understanding, or inspiration
French onde cérébrale, éclair de génie
- onde cérébraleany of many rhythmic fluctuations of electric potential between parts of the brain
- éclair de géniesudden idea, understanding, or inspiration
German Gehirnwelle, Gehirnstrom
- Gehirnwelleany of many rhythmic fluctuations of electric potential between parts of the brain
- Gehirnstromany of many rhythmic fluctuations of electric potential between parts of the brain
- Gedankenblitzsudden idea, understanding, or inspiration
Hungarian agyhullám
- agyhullámany of many rhythmic fluctuations of electric potential between parts of the brain
Japanese 脳波
- 脳波 (nōha)any of many rhythmic fluctuations of electric potential between parts of the brain
Tagalog liboy ng utak
- liboy ng utakany of many rhythmic fluctuations of electric potential between parts of the brain
Cite this entry
APA
brainwave. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brainwave
MLA
“brainwave.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brainwave. Accessed November 2, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “brainwave,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brainwave.
Source: brainwave on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.