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
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The olfactory bulb, where scent signals are processed, sits close to the hippocampus and amygdala — the very regions responsible for memory and emotion.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Scent is one of the most powerful ways to immortalize a moment in time, many thanks to the olfactory system’s direct line to the amygdala and hippocampus (the parts of the brain responsible for emotion and memory).
—Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 16 May 2025
The team’s final step was to verify that the dopamine circuit between the VTA and the amygdala causes fears to be learned and unlearned.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Without trust, the amygdala stays on high alert, treating new ideas and different perspectives as threats.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Scent is one of the most powerful ways to immortalize a moment in time, many thanks to the olfactory system’s direct line to the amygdala and hippocampus (the parts of the brain responsible for emotion and memory).
—Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 16 May 2025
The team’s final step was to verify that the dopamine circuit between the VTA and the amygdala causes fears to be learned and unlearned.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
Without trust, the amygdala stays on high alert, treating new ideas and different perspectives as threats.
—Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for amygdala
Cite this Entry
“Amygdala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amygdala. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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
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