rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymigraineSevere recurring headache
noun

migraine

MY-grayn/ˈmaɪɡreɪn/

A severe recurring headache often accompanied by nausea or visual disturbances.

The woman rests in a dim room to ease her migraine.

A South Asian woman rests in a dim room with one hand at her temple, eyes closed and curtains drawn against light.
Etymology
miGreekhalf
+graineGreekskull

The components mean “half” and “skull”: the original term described pain on one side of the head. That image underlies the name of the severe headache.

In context

UW Medicine0:10
A migraine headache can be debilitating, causing throbbing pain on one side of the head, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
Migraine Aura or Stroke? How to Tell the Difference

More examples

  • A migraine interrupted his work.
  • Several migraines occurred that month.
  • The study examined migraine.

Forms

migraine · migraines

Similar words

headache
The broader symptom category.
aura
A possible associated disturbance rather than the migraine itself.