English Explanatory Dictionary

brainwash

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A distorting effect upon one's memory, belief, or ideas, as by propaganda.
verb
  1. To affect one's mind by using extreme mental pressure or any other mind-affecting process. (e.g. hypnosis)
  2. To take from an electronically controlled machine its stored-up information; to erase a computer's programming. (1960)
  3. To persuade completely and forcibly.

Pronunciation

brān'wŏsh /ˈbɹeɪnwɒʃ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-brainwash.wav En-US-Brainwash.ogg

Word forms

brainwash brainwashes brain-wash brainwashing brainwashed

Etymology

From brain + wash, a calque of Chinese 洗腦 /洗脑 (xǐnǎo), literally to wash the brain. Usage via U.S. military during the Korean War.

Derived words

brainwashable brainwashedness brainwashee brainwasher brainwashy unbrainwash
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