brainstorming

noun brain·storm·ing \ ˈbrān-ˌstȯr-miŋ \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of brainstorming

:a group problem-solving technique that involves the spontaneous contribution of ideas from all members of the group; also :the mulling over of ideas by one or more individuals in an attempt to devise or find a solution to a problem — see also ²brainstorm

See brainstorming defined for kids

Recent Examples of brainstorming from the Web

Virgil recalls of the early brainstorming sessions with Nike.

— mark anthony green, GQ, "Virgil Abloh and Nike Unveil “The Ten” Sneaker Collection," 21 Aug. 2017
Environments like open offices and whiteboard brainstorming sessions are key to him.

— nikki delamotte, cleveland.com, "After working at Yelp and Yahoo, Mike Marchetti looks to grow startup culture in Cleveland," 10 Aug. 2017
Bravo and David teamed up to create the project for their college thesis on animation and got the initial idea for the film during a brainstorming session with a friend.

— mike miller, PEOPLE.com, "PEOPLE Explains: How Student Filmmakers Won the World's Hearts with Viral Same-Sex Love Story In a Heartbeat," 3 Aug. 2017
Overseas marketing reps from eight countries are scheduled to arrive in Kodiak on Aug. 7 to tour processing plants, visit a remote salmon fishing site and hold brainstorming sessions.

— laine welch, Alaska Dispatch News, "Salmon in Brazil? Pollock in Spain? ASMI broadens reach.," 29 July 2017
What was your brainstorming process like in curating this program?

— leilah bernstein, Los Angeles Magazine, "The World’s Finest Dancers Are Performing This Weekend at the Music Center," 28 July 2017
The friends spread 10 illustrations out on a table and spent an afternoon brainstorming.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Forgotten Children’s Book by Maurice Sendak Will Be Published in 2018," 10 July 2017
Aaron Kopp’s intimate camerawork captures the kids’ faces lighting up during their collaborative brainstorming sessions, in English and Siswati (Swazi), under the warm and vigorous guidance of Mhlophe.

— sheri linden, The Hollywood Reporter, "‘Liyana’: Film Review | LAFF 2017," 8 July 2017
Interwoven into the committee's brainstorming of director qualities was the suggestion that the board's future vision for the library first be determined in order for the right candidate to be selected.

— jennifer johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Search for new Park Ridge Library director begins with brainstorming session," 3 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'brainstorming.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.