Definition

Noun: * Mental ability or intellectual capacity: The ability to think, reason, understand, and solve problems; the collective intelligence or cognitive resources of a person or group.

Usage

"Brainpower" is an uncountable noun used to describe the raw intellectual capability of an individual or the combined intellectual resources of a team, organization, or nation. It emphasizes cognitive strength, problem-solving skill, and analytical thought.

Examples

• The project requires significant brainpower to solve its complex engineering challenges.
• She was hired for her exceptional brainpower and innovative thinking.
• The company invests in research to harness the collective brainpower of its scientists.
• We need to apply more brainpower to this issue if we want to find a solution.

Advanced Usage

• "To pool brainpower": To combine the intellectual efforts of several people.
  • The success of the startup was due to pooling the brainpower of experts from different fields.
• "A drain on brainpower": Something that consumes excessive mental energy or resources.
  • Administrative tasks can be a real drain on the brainpower of creative staff.

Variants and Related Words

• Brain (noun, informal): Often used synonymously in plural form ("brains") to mean intelligence.
  • She's the brains behind the operation.
• Brainy (adjective, informal): Describing someone as very intelligent.
  • He's the brainy one in the family.

Synonyms

• Intelligence
• Intellect
• Mental capacity
• Cognitive ability
• Smarts (informal)

Antonyms

• Stupidity
• Ignorance
• Ineptitude

Related Idioms

• "Pick someone's brain(s)": To ask someone questions in order to obtain information or benefit from their knowledge.
  • Can I pick your brain about the new software?
• "Rack one's brain(s)": To think very hard in an attempt to remember something or solve a problem.
  • I racked my brains trying to remember her name.

Noun

1. mental ability
   • he's got plenty of brains but no common sense