hippocampus
noun
hip·po·cam·pus
ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-pəs 
plural hippocampi
ˌhi-pə-ˈkam-ˌpī
-(ˌ)pē
-(ˌ)pē
: a curved elongated ridge that extends over the floor of the descending horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain, that consists of gray matter covered on the ventricular surface with white matter, and that is involved in forming, storing, and processing memory
Examples of hippocampus in a Sentence
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Acetylcholine levels also increased in other brain areas, including the hippocampus, which plays a key role in memory.
—
Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
Areas related to memory, emotion and sensory processing — like the hippocampus and parahippocampal regions — were especially affected, the study found.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
In contrast, when people recalled perception-heavy stories, the hippocampus activated along with brain networks outside of the DMN, including the left angular gyrus.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2025
Excessive exposure to high-sugar foods has also been found to reduce cognitive function and cause damage to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, the parts of the brain that mediate executive control and memory.
—Claire Wilcox, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hippocampus
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Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
Areas related to memory, emotion and sensory processing — like the hippocampus and parahippocampal regions — were especially affected, the study found.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
In contrast, when people recalled perception-heavy stories, the hippocampus activated along with brain networks outside of the DMN, including the left angular gyrus.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2025
Excessive exposure to high-sugar foods has also been found to reduce cognitive function and cause damage to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, the parts of the brain that mediate executive control and memory.
—Claire Wilcox, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hippocampus
Cite this Entry
“Hippocampus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hippocampus. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
hippocampus
noun
hip·po·cam·pus
ˌhip-ə-ˈkam-pəs
: a curved elongated ridge that is an important part of the limbic system, extends over the floor of the descending horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain, consists of gray matter covered on the ventricular surface with white matter, and is involved in forming, storing, and processing memory see pes hippocampi
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