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 Web
Connecticut State Sen. Matthew Lesser, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
The duo began brainstorming about what could come next for their careers after working for decades in Miami’s culinary and event production scene.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
For instance, if an AI tool reveals a surprising trend in customer behavior, creative teams can brainstorm fresh narratives or offers that tap into those insights.
—Anthony Chiaravallo, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
The purpose of the team session is to brainstorm the strategy or solution – i.e., which sales channel is the best option in terms of company fit and expected results.
—Andrew Davidson, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brainstorm
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Verb
As China and the US spar, countries brainstorm over how to cope with the trade war
Governments are brainstorming over strategies for coping with the trade war between the world’s top economies.
—Connecticut State Sen. Matthew Lesser, Hartford Courant, 12 Apr. 2025
The duo began brainstorming about what could come next for their careers after working for decades in Miami’s culinary and event production scene.
—Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
For instance, if an AI tool reveals a surprising trend in customer behavior, creative teams can brainstorm fresh narratives or offers that tap into those insights.
—Anthony Chiaravallo, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
The purpose of the team session is to brainstorm the strategy or solution – i.e., which sales channel is the best option in terms of company fit and expected results.
—Andrew Davidson, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for brainstorm
Cite this Entry
“Brainstorm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brainstorm. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brainstorm
noun
brain·storm
ˈbrān-ˌstȯ(ə)rm
: a sudden inspiration or idea
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