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gray matter
noun
Synonyms
Examples of gray matter in a Sentence
she's got the gray matter to figure that equation out
Recent Examples on the Web
Nevertheless, its spread is troubling because the virus can lead to a rare and debilitating neurological condition called acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM.
AFM attacks motor neurons in the spinal cord’s gray matter, which controls movement.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2024
By the ninth week of pregnancy, the authors found widespread decreases in gray matter volume and thickness of the cerebral cortex, especially in regions such as the default mode network, which is associated with social cognitive functions.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024
One study shows more gray matter in the portions of the brain that deal with attention, auditory processing, emotional stimulus, and recognition in the brains of people with high IQs than in the brains of the control group.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 14 Aug. 2024
Brain scans showed those who received liraglutide lost nearly 50% less volume in the frontal, temporal, parietal and total gray matter − areas of the brain that control memory, learning, language and decision making.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for gray matter
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gray matter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near gray matter
Cite this Entry
“Gray matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gray%20matter. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
gray matter
noun1
: nerve tissue especially of the brain and spinal cord that has a brownish gray color
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
More from Merriam-Webster on gray matter
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gray matter
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