alpha wave

noun

: an electrical rhythm of the brain with a frequency of approximately 8 to 13 cycles per second that is often associated with a state of wakeful relaxation

called also alpha, alpha rhythm

Examples of alpha wave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For instance, alpha waves occur in a more relaxed mental state, while beta waves tend to be produced when a person is alert or focused. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 24 Sep. 2024 In the insight case, the brain scans showed that in the second before the answer was reached, there was a burst of alpha waves in the right occipital cortex, which processes vision. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 18 July 2024 Someone who is relaxed with eyes closed but not asleep produces alpha waves at around 10 hertz. IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2024 Previous research that connected alpha waves with depression led Soltani and Voytek to initially hypothesize that ECT influences alpha waves. Elizabeth Landau, Quanta Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024 For example, alpha waves, with frequencies of 8 to 12 hertz, tend to appear during deep relaxation or sleep. Elizabeth Landau, Quanta Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024 One of the endophenotypes in the Minnesota study, for example, was brain alpha wave frequency as measured with EEG. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 4 Dec. 2014 This video shows the dramatic, widespread drop in alpha wave amplitude (deep blue color on leftmost head) following counterclockwise rotations. Shinsuke Shimojo, Daw-An Wu, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2019 Two vaccinated parents decreased the risk by an average of 64.9%, although the risk only decreased by 58.1% during the delta wave compared to 71.7% during the alpha wave. Celina Tebor, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alpha wave was in 1936

Dictionary Entries Near alpha wave

Cite this Entry

“Alpha wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alpha%20wave. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

alpha wave

noun
: an electrical rhythm of the brain with a frequency of 8 to 13 cycles per second that is often associated with a state of wakeful relaxation

called also alpha

More from Merriam-Webster on alpha wave

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!