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

In sectors where rapid innovation and time-to-market are critical, a compressed week might hinder the team's ability to brainstorm, iterate and push out new products quickly. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

In 2008, the Department of Homeland Security convened a workshop for experts to brainstorm potential methods for hurricane modification. —Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2024

If sprucing up an outdoor space for cozy evenings by the fire pit or brainstorming a total living room makeover — complete with new rugs, lighting, and throw pillows — is on your wish list, Target Circle Week has something for every home decor project. —Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024

Among a group of influential men – law professors – at a dinner party one evening was a Communist Party member brainstorming how to throw a bone to pro-democracy activists. —Lenora Chu, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 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