Ask Difference

Brain vs. Brains — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 1, 2024
Brain refers to the organ responsible for cognitive functions; brains often denotes intelligence or multiple brain organs.
Brain vs. Brains — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Brain and Brains

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Key Differences

The term "brain" specifically denotes the organ located in the skull that coordinates mental and physical processes. On the other hand, "brains" can refer to the intellectual capacity or smartness of a person or group, emphasizing cognitive abilities.
In biology, "brain" is used to describe the central nervous system's control center in animals, including humans. Whereas "brains" in a biological context can imply the study of multiple specimens or types of brains, such as comparing the brains of different species.
When used metaphorically, "brain" often describes the central, most important aspect of a system, similar to how the brain controls bodily functions. Conversely, "brains" used metaphorically can refer to a group of highly intelligent people or thinkers within a specific context or organization.
In colloquial speech, someone might be advised to "use your brain," suggesting they should think more carefully. On the other hand, saying someone has "brains" generally compliments their overall intellectual capability or acumen.
The use of "brain" in singular form focuses on the individuality of the organ or the notion of singular control or decision-making. In contrast, "brains" can highlight diversity in intelligence, multiple methods of thinking, or collective intellectual efforts.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

The organ in the skull
Multiple brain organs or intelligence

Usage in Biology

Describes a single organ
Refers to multiple brains

Metaphorical Use

Central control system of a process
Group of intelligent thinkers

Colloquial Advice

"Use your brain"
"He/she has brains"

Focus

Individual decision-making
Collective intellectual effort

Compare with Definitions

Brain

To think or reason something out.
He's trying to brain the solution to the problem.

Brains

Plural form of brain, referring to more than one such organ.
Comparative studies of animal brains can be enlightening.

Brain

To hit someone on the head.
He nearly got brained by a falling branch.

Brains

Smart or intellectually capable people.
We need to hire more brains for this project.

Brain

The intellectual leader or planner.
She's the brain behind our new strategy.

Brains

A gathering or group of intelligent individuals.
The meeting was full of the best brains from around the company.

Brain

The organ responsible for thought, memory, emotion, and sensory processing.
The human brain is incredibly complex.

Brains

Brainpower used collectively.
With our brains combined, we solved the issue quickly.

Brain

The main or central part of something, especially in technology or organizations.
The server acts as the brain of the network.

Brains

Intellectual capacity or intelligence.
Solving such puzzles requires a lot of brains.

Brain

A brain is an organ that serves as the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals. It is located in the head, usually close to the sensory organs for senses such as vision.

Brains

The portion of the vertebrate central nervous system that is enclosed within the cranium, continuous with the spinal cord, and composed of gray matter and white matter. It is the primary center for the regulation and control of bodily activities, receiving and interpreting sensory impulses, and transmitting information to the muscles and body organs. It is also the seat of consciousness, thought, memory, and emotion.

Brain

The portion of the vertebrate central nervous system that is enclosed within the cranium, continuous with the spinal cord, and composed of gray matter and white matter. It is the primary center for the regulation and control of bodily activities, receiving and interpreting sensory impulses, and transmitting information to the muscles and body organs. It is also the seat of consciousness, thought, memory, and emotion.

Brains

A functionally similar portion of the invertebrate nervous system.

Brain

A functionally similar portion of the invertebrate nervous system.

Brains

The mind
The plan took shape in her brain.

Brain

The mind
The plan took shape in her brain.

Brains

Intellectual ability; intellect
An actor not known for his quick brain.

Brain

Intellectual ability; intellect
An actor not known for his quick brain.

Brains

Often brains Exceptional intellectual ability; intelligence
Has brains and good looks.

Brain

Often brains Exceptional intellectual ability; intelligence
Has brains and good looks.

Brains

(Informal) A highly intelligent person
We knew the new kid was a brain as soon as she started talking.

Brain

(Informal) A highly intelligent person
We knew the new kid was a brain as soon as she started talking.

Brains

Often brains The primary director or planner, as of an organization or movement.

Brain

Often brains The primary director or planner, as of an organization or movement.

Brains

The control center, as of a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft.

Brain

The control center, as of a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft.

Brains

To hit on the head or kill by hitting on the head.

Brain

To hit on the head or kill by hitting on the head.

Brains

Plural of brain

Brain

The control center of the central nervous system of an animal located in the skull which is responsible for perception, cognition, attention, memory, emotion, and action.

Brains

The substance of a brain, as a material or foodstuff.

Brain

A part of the brain, especially associated with particular mental functions, abilities, etc.

Brains

(informal) The figurative substance of a brain: mental ability, intelligence.
Sadly, I got my brains from my mom and my looks from the mailman.

Brain

(informal) An intelligent person.
She was a total brain.

Brains

The intelligent person or people in a group: the director, planner, administrator, etc.
Who's the brains behind this operation?

Brain

(plurale tantum) A person who provides the intelligence required for something.
He is the brains behind the scheme.

Brain

(in the plural) Intellect.
She has a lot of brains.

Brain

(in the singular) An intellectual or mental capacity.
Gerald always acts like he doesn't have a brain.

Brain

By analogy with a human brain, the part of a machine or computer that performs calculations.
The computer's brain is capable of millions of calculations a second.

Brain

Mind.
I have too much on my brain''' today.

Brain

A loose compartment of a backpack that straps on over the top opening.

Brain

(transitive) To dash out the brains of; to kill by smashing the skull.

Brain

To strike (someone) on the head.

Brain

To destroy; to put an end to.

Brain

To conceive in the mind; to understand.

Brain

The whitish mass of soft matter (the center of the nervous system, and the seat of consciousness and volition) which is inclosed in the cartilaginous or bony cranium of vertebrate animals. It is simply the anterior termination of the spinal cord, and is developed from three embryonic vesicles, whose cavities are connected with the central canal of the cord; the cavities of the vesicles become the central cavities, or ventricles, and the walls thicken unequally and become the three segments, the fore-, mid-, and hind-brain.

Brain

The anterior or cephalic ganglion in insects and other invertebrates.

Brain

The organ or seat of intellect; hence, the understanding; as, use your brains.

Brain

The affections; fancy; imagination.

Brain

A very intelligent person.

Brain

The controlling electronic mechanism for a robot, guided missile, computer, or other device exhibiting some degree of self-regulation.

Brain

To dash out the brains of; to kill by beating out the brains.
There thou mayst brain him.
It was the swift celerity of the death . . . That brained my purpose.

Brain

To conceive; to understand.
'T is still a dream, or else such stuff as madmenTongue, and brain not.

Brain

That part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

Brain

Mental ability;
He's got plenty of brains but no common sense

Brain

That which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings; the seat of the faculty of reason;
His mind wandered
I couldn't get his words out of my head

Brain

Someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality;
Mozart was a child genius
He's smart but he's no Einstein

Brain

The brain of certain animals used as meat

Brain

Hit on the head

Brain

Kill by smashing someone's skull

Common Curiosities

Is "brain" ever used in a violent context?

Yes, "brain" as a verb can mean to strike someone on the head.

How is "brains" used differently from "brain"?

"Brains" often refers to intellectual capacity or multiple instances of the organ, unlike the singular "brain."

Can "brain" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "brain" can metaphorically represent the central part of any system or organization.

What is the primary biological function of the brain?

The brain serves as the center of the nervous system, controlling thoughts, memory, emotion, and sensory processing.

Are "brain" and "brains" interchangeable in scientific contexts?

Not typically; "brain" refers to a single organ, while "brains" could mean multiple such organs.

What does it mean when someone is described as having "brains"?

It means they are considered to be intelligent or clever.

How does "brains" relate to groups?

"Brains" can refer to a group of smart people or thinkers.

Can "brains" imply more than intellectual ability?

Yes, it can also suggest practical problem-solving ability and creativity.

What type of leadership role does "brain" imply?

It implies a central, pivotal role in decision-making or planning.

How does the advice "use your brain" apply in everyday situations?

It suggests using thought and reasoning to solve problems or make decisions.

Why might someone be complimented on their "brains"?

For their intellectual achievements or capabilities.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.

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