noun
cranium
KRAY-nee-uhm
Cranium (noun) means the bony part of the skull that encloses and protects the brain. Example: “The helmet is designed to protect the cranium in a fall.”
noun
1
The bony part of the skull that encloses and protects the brain.
"The helmet is designed to protect the cranium in a fall."
How to use cranium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe part of the skull surrounding the brain — the more clinical word for skull.
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Word forms
- Plural
- craniums, crania
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The helmet is designed to protect the _____ in a fall.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin cranium ("skull"), from Ancient Greek kranion.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for cranium
See all rhymes for cranium →Frequently asked questions
What does “cranium” mean?
The word “cranium” means the bony part of the skull that encloses and protects the brain. In plain terms, the part of the skull surrounding the brain — the more clinical word for skull.
How do you pronounce “cranium”?
“Cranium” is pronounced KRAY-nee-uhm (/ˈkɹeɪ.ni.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “cranium” in a sentence?
Here is “cranium” used in a sentence: “The helmet is designed to protect the cranium in a fall.”
What part of speech is “cranium”?
“Cranium” is a noun.
Where does the word “cranium” come from?
The word “cranium” comes from Ancient Greek. From Medieval Latin cranium ("skull"), from Ancient Greek kranion.
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