amygdala

noun

amyg·​da·​la ə-ˈmig-də-lə 

plural amygdalae ə-ˈmig-də-ˌlē 

-ˌlī

: the one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere that is part of the limbic system and consists of an almond-shaped mass of gray matter in the anterior extremity of the temporal lobe

called also amygdaloid nucleus

Examples of amygdala in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Do people with a larger amygdala gravitate toward more conservative ideologies because their amygdala is already structured in a way that is more receptive to the negative emotions that conservatism elicits? —Matt Richtel, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

Conversely, when trust is broken, the amygdala (the brain’s threat center) activates, triggering fear, defensiveness and disengagement. —Alex Draper, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025

This kind of language lights up the brain’s threat-detection system, particularly the amygdala, which governs fear and defensiveness. —Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

The amygdala, a part of the brain which acts as its alarm system, triggers the fight, flight or freeze response, Cauffman said. —Taylor Romine, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, almond, from Greek amygdalē

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amygdala

• areola
• allah
• bala
• cala
• cholla
• mala
• sala
• scala
• cabala
• corolla
• impala
• kabbalah

Medical Definition

amygdala

noun

amyg·​da·​la ə-ˈmig-də-lə 

plural amygdalae -ˌlē  -ˌlī 

: the one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere that is part of the limbic system and consists of an almond-shaped mass of gray matter in the roof of the lateral ventricle

called also amygdaloid body, amygdaloid nucleus