gray matter

noun

1

: neural tissue especially of the brain and spinal cord that contains nerve-cell bodies as well as nerve fibers and has a brownish-gray color

2

: brains, intellect

Synonyms

• brain(s)
• brainpower
• headpiece
• intellect
• intellectuality
• intelligence
• mentality
• reason
• sense
• smarts

Examples of gray matter in a Sentence

she's got the gray matter to figure that equation out

Recent Examples on the Web

These cognitive changes are consistent with reductions in gray matter volume during pregnancy. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

In contrast to the reductions in gray matter, the study noted increases in white matter microstructural integrity, particularly during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

The key is to cultivate safe ways to maintain social interactions in order to enhance the brain’s gray matter and amp up career creativity and stamina. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Results showed that cardio risk factors — along with higher levels of abdominal and visceral fat — were associated with lower brain gray matter volume throughout the cerebral cortex in both men and women. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gray matter

noun

1

: nerve tissue especially of the brain and spinal cord that has a brownish gray color

2

: intelligence sense 1

Medical Definition

gray matter

noun

: neural tissue especially of the brain and spinal cord that contains cell bodies as well as nerve fibers, has a brownish gray color, and forms most of the cortex and nuclei of the brain, the columns of the spinal cord, and the bodies of ganglia

called also gray substance