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Definition of cranium

cranium

/ˈkɹeɪ.ni.əm/
cra · ni · um
Adverb:cranially
•
Plural:craniums
•
Adjective:cranial
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cranium Lexical Profile

cranium Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The bony structure of a vertebrate skull, specifically the upper dome-like portion that encloses and protects the brain, excluding the lower jawbone.

Example

"The thick bones of the human cranium fuse together during infancy to form a rigid protective shell around the brain."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cranium

Word Nuance & Usage

In strict anatomical usage, 'cranium' refers specifically to the upper part of the skull that encloses the brain (excluding the lower jaw), though in everyday speech it is often used interchangeably with 'skull'. Both 'craniums' and the Latinate 'crania' are standard plural forms.

• Rhymes for cranium

• Nearby Words

cranefly
cranesbill
cranial
cranium
crank
crankcase
crankhandle

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late Middle English period from Medieval Latin cranium, which derives from Ancient Greek kranion ('skull, upper part of the head'), related to kara ('head').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cranium. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cranium
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