gray matter

noun

Synonyms of gray matternext
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
The key to his surge has been an increased use of his gray matter …—Austin Murphy

Synonyms of gray matter

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Examples of gray matter in a Sentence

she's got the gray matter to figure that equation out
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The researchers found that London taxi drivers had measurably more gray matter in the posterior hippocampus, a brain area tied to storing large-scale spatial maps. — Hatim Sharif, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026 Research shows that drops in hormones actually shrink the volume of gray matter in a woman’s hippocampus and frontal and temporal cortices, which are key for memory and executive function. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 July 2026 The researchers found that those who passed the exam had an increase in gray matter and enhanced memory. — Amanda Gardner, Martha Stewart, 5 July 2026 The researchers measured the participants’ vitamin C levels using blood samples and performed MRI scans to calculate the volume of gray matter and white matter in their brains. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gray matter

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gray matter was in 1809

Rhymes for gray matter

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Browse Nearby Words

gray market
gray matter
gray Minyan ware
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Cite this Entry

“Gray matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gray%20matter. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on gray matter

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gray matter

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