lightning rod
noun
1
: a grounded metallic rod set up on a structure (such as a building) to protect it from lightning
2
: one that serves to divert attack from another
3
: one that is a frequent target of criticism or focus of controversy
she has become a convenient lightning rod for voters' discontent with law-and-order issues—
Aric Press et al.
Aric Press et al.Examples of lightning rod in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For instance, Columbia University, whose campus has become a lightning rod in the pro-Palestinian protest movement, has an endowment worth $13.6 billion that encompasses 6,200 funds.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 May 2024
California California college campuses become lightning rods for pro-Palestinian protests
May 1, 2024
UC Riverside
Administrators and pro-Palestinian student organizers reached an agreement to end an encampment on the Riverside campus.
—Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lightning rod 
Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 May 2024
California California college campuses become lightning rods for pro-Palestinian protests
May 1, 2024
UC Riverside
Administrators and pro-Palestinian student organizers reached an agreement to end an encampment on the Riverside campus.
—Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lightning rod
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lightning rod.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Lightning rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightning%20rod. Accessed 11 May. 2024.
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