brain·storm
ˈbrān-ˌstȯrm 
brainstormed; brainstorming; brainstorms
: 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
Elizabeth ThrasherEngineers are only beginning to brainstorm possible reasons that Polar Lander might have kept silent.—Sharon Begley
see also brainstorming
Sharon Begley
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
Amy Schrier
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
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
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
Sloan Wilson2
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
Paul Hayward3
dated
: a violent transient fit of insanity
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 WebEmily Palmer, Peoplemag, 16 May 2024
Each team would have one hour to brainstorm their full restaurant concept before picking out color schemes and table linens at All Star Rentals in Muskego.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for brainstorm 
Verb
Allegedly planning to kill his parents for years, Blair had hidden a gun in his bedroom closet, according to the court documents, which claim that the teen had brainstormed alternative ways of murdering his parents but had settled on shooting them with a handgun.
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 16 May 2024
Each team would have one hour to brainstorm their full restaurant concept before picking out color schemes and table linens at All Star Rentals in Muskego.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for brainstorm
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'brainstorm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near brainstorm
Cite this Entry
“Brainstorm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brainstorm. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brainstorm
noun
brain·storm
ˈbrān-ˌstȯ(ə)rm
: a sudden inspiration or idea
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