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

The second day of the event was dedicated to workshops where producers brainstormed on how to adapt select formats for specific territories. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 22 June 2024

His success as a leader, said Sievert, boiled down to consistently looking for new growth avenues, taking a chance on experimental ideas, and brainstorming ways to improve customer experiences. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 21 June 2024

That way, people can be involved face-to-face in projects, brainstorming, and other commercial meetings. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 20 June 2024

In weekly meetings over Google Hangouts to brainstorm new categories, her team obsesses over the latest in pop culture and mines internet search queries, trending topics and buzzy hashtags. —Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 1 May 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