brainstorm

1 of 2

verb

brain·​storm ˈbrān-ˌstȯrm 

brainstormed; brainstorming; brainstorms

transitive + intransitive

: to try to solve a problem or come up with new ideas by having a discussion that includes all members of a group : to discuss a problem or issue and suggest solutions and ideas

Students from Paris, Milan, Tokyo, and New York were invited to the Cambridge campus to brainstorm with MIT students on the marriage of couture and computer.

—Elizabeth Thrasher

Engineers are only beginning to brainstorm possible reasons that Polar Lander might have kept silent.

—Sharon Begley

see also brainstorming

brainstormer noun

plural brainstormers

In fact, the speakers joined the attendees as collaborative brainstormers in an exercise to find solutions to some truly global problems …

—Amy Schrier

brainstorm

2 of 2

noun

plural brainstorms

1

a

: a sudden bright idea

Another French immigrant to the Quaker City, Eugene Roussel, had a brainstorm that raised the curtain on a new era in the history of carbonated beverages.

—David M. Schwartz

b

: the act of brainstorming : a group discussion for the purpose of solving a problem or coming up with new ideas

Once the brainstorms are done, however, everyone needs to get their individual pieces of the creative puzzle done as effectively and efficiently as possible.

—Denise Blasevick

c

: a harebrained idea

The layout looks as though it is the brainstorm of the art director of a struggling new advertising agency after a three-martini lunch.

—Sloan Wilson

2

British, informal : a temporary state of confusion : a period of unclear thinking

… Smith's rise was interrupted by a brainstorm, a failure of logic, a loss of bearings that will now stay with him for the rest of his life.

—Paul Hayward

3

dated : a violent transient fit of insanity

Synonyms

Verb

• communicate
• intercommunicate

Examples of brainstorm in a Sentence

Verb

they brainstormed about ways to raise money for their organization

Her latest brainstorm is to convert the garage into an apartment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Design activities where your students use AI to brainstorm, encouraging them to use AI as a tool for creative exploration rather than rote work. —Harsh Singh, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

For his part, Hollander dabbles in AI tools for brainstorming as well as for sample-hunting and generating, but, like Hatcher, always uses his original lyrics. —Allegra Rosenberg, WIRED, 28 Oct. 2024

The pair begins brainstorming talking points for the event, as Grande’s Coolidge decides lemons will be a good conversation starter, and advises Fineman’s Coolidge to avoid the topic of Phish — the band not the animal. —Claire Franken, TVLine, 13 Oct. 2024

Members are already brainstorming possible names for its future cafe. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1945, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1861, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

brainstorm

noun

brain·​storm ˈbrān-ˌstȯ(ə)rm 

: a sudden inspiration or idea