Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun brainwave

2 senses of brainwave

Sense 1
brainwave, brain wave, cortical potential -- ((neurophysiology) rapid fluctuations of voltage between parts of the cerebral cortex that are detectable with an electroencephalograph)
       => bioelectricity -- (electric phenomena in animals or plants)

Sense 2
insight, brainstorm, brainwave -- (the clear (and often sudden) understanding of a complex situation)
       => understanding, apprehension, discernment, savvy -- (the cognitive condition of someone who understands; "he has virtually no understanding of social cause and effect")