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
The amygdala is a portion of the brain that helps process fear and potential threats.
—
Paul Hsieh, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Warm parenting during middle childhood (age 5) was associated with more amygdala centrality—meaning the amygdala played a more important role in the processing of emotions—and less prefrontal cortex centrality, meaning this part of the brain played a less important role.
—Hatty Willmoth, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Unconscious exposure may alter fear memories stored in the amygdala via the circuit that operates on an unconscious level.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2024
Adversity experienced early in life can affect how the amygdala works.
—Emily C. Merz, Discover Magazine, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for amygdala 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Paul Hsieh, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Warm parenting during middle childhood (age 5) was associated with more amygdala centrality—meaning the amygdala played a more important role in the processing of emotions—and less prefrontal cortex centrality, meaning this part of the brain played a less important role.
—Hatty Willmoth, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Unconscious exposure may alter fear memories stored in the amygdala via the circuit that operates on an unconscious level.
—Simon Makin, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2024
Adversity experienced early in life can affect how the amygdala works.
—Emily C. Merz, Discover Magazine, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for amygdala
Dictionary Entries Near amygdala
Cite this Entry
“Amygdala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amygdala. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
amygdala
noun
amyg·da·la
ə-ˈmig-də-lə
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share