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
Noun
Her latest brainstorm is to convert the garage into an apartment.
Recent Examples on the WebMadison Malone Kircher, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Her class helped brainstorm birthday gift ideas for an 8-year-old Swiftie.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
The team began brainstorming to ensure any plans would adhere to the city guidelines.
—Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
Facing the public, missed red flags The next week, as the deaths made national headlines, the ship’s leaders began to brainstorm how to share the news.
—Melissa Chan, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024
Jackson said the incidents compelled some county leaders to start brainstorming.
—Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
Collins remembers brainstorming with Hall over more than 100 names, including Andytown West, West Lake and Collins’ other favorite, Arvida Ranch.
—Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
Easter cookie preparations start as early as January, when Wong brainstorms a list of design ideas and tests out decorations.
—Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024
That’s why the city’s Democratic mayor, 43-year-old Leonardo Williams, was already brainstorming ways to ward off another financial blow.
—Danielle Paquette, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Verb
Speaking with The New York Times together on a video call Friday morning, several students from the class discussed their thoughts on the 31 new songs and brainstormed their final papers, which are due at the end of the month.
—Madison Malone Kircher, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Her class helped brainstorm birthday gift ideas for an 8-year-old Swiftie.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024
The team began brainstorming to ensure any plans would adhere to the city guidelines.
—Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
Facing the public, missed red flags The next week, as the deaths made national headlines, the ship’s leaders began to brainstorm how to share the news.
—Melissa Chan, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024
Jackson said the incidents compelled some county leaders to start brainstorming.
—Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
Collins remembers brainstorming with Hall over more than 100 names, including Andytown West, West Lake and Collins’ other favorite, Arvida Ranch.
—Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
Easter cookie preparations start as early as January, when Wong brainstorms a list of design ideas and tests out decorations.
—Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2024
That’s why the city’s Democratic mayor, 43-year-old Leonardo Williams, was already brainstorming ways to ward off another financial blow.
—Danielle Paquette, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
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 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brainstorm
noun
brain·storm
ˈbrān-ˌstȯ(ə)rm
: a sudden inspiration or idea
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share