Standard Lemma guide

cerebrate

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈsɛɹɪbɹeɪt/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Any salt of cerebric acid (cerebrin).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To think or cogitate, especially so as to make inferences or decisions or to solve problems.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

use or exercise the mind or one's power of reason in order to make inferences, decisions, or arrive at a solution or judgments

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I've been thinking all day and getting nowhere

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: think, cogitate

Antonyms: none provided

Narrower terms: puzzle over, rationalize, rationalise, think, philosophize, philosophise, brainstorm, chew over, think over, meditate, ponder, excogitate, contemplate, muse, reflect, mull, mull over, ruminate, speculate, reason, reason out, conclude, evaluate, pass judgment, judge, study, plan, associate, tie in, relate, link, colligate, link up, connect, concentrate, focus, center, centre, pore, rivet, give, pay, devote, think about

History

Etymology

From (obsolete) cerebric acid + -ate (“salt or ester”).

First attested in 1874; from Latin cerebrum (“brain”) + -ate (verb-forming suffix); likely a back-formation from cerebration.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: järkeillä — to think or cogitate
  • Russian: размышля́ть (razmyšljátʹ) — to think or cogitate