brain drain

noun

: the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another usually for better pay or living conditions

Examples of brain drain in a Sentence

Nothing has been done to stop the brain drain as more and more doctors move away from the area.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The imposition of tariffs on clean technologies and R&D partnerships could also lead to a brain drain with skilled workers in the renewable energy and climate tech sectors seeking opportunities in other regions with more stable business environments. — Ali Hoss, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 Workers taking buyouts Some Social Security employees are already opting for the buyouts, which could lead to a brain drain at the administration, another agency employee told CBS MoneyWatch. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025 This brain drain can severely delay projects from getting off the ground and hurt the overall productivity of the company. — Dave Friend, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 Zoom in: Energy and Commerce has undergone something of an energy policy brain drain in recent years with retirements and electoral churn. — Daniel Moore, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brain drain

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of brain drain was in 1960

Rhymes for brain drain

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Browse Nearby Words

brain death
brain drain
brain dump
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Cite this Entry

“Brain drain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brain%20drain. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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