brainstorming

noun

brain·​storm·​ing ˈbrān-ˌstȯr-miŋ 

plural brainstormings

: a group problem-solving technique that involves the spontaneous contribution of ideas from all members of the group

conducted several brainstorming sessions

also : the mulling over of ideas by one or more individuals in an attempt to devise or find a solution to a problem

… he's already done some brainstorming about new marketing strategies.

—George Lazarus

Examples of brainstorming in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hold brainstorming sessions with your leadership team. —Brendan Howe, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023

Even the images that didn’t accurately convey information flows still served a useful purpose in driving productive brainstorming. —IEEE Spectrum, 14 Oct. 2023

Innovation can spark in a multitude of ways: research and development teams that invent new products; efficient processes padding a company’s bottom line; inspiring leaders who foster the brainstorming and collaboration that inspire original creations. —Maia Samuel, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023

Lay out an area rug to anchor the space and warm it up, dedicate your walls to mood boarding and brainstorming, and hang a whimsical light that sparks the imagination. —Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 22 Aug. 2023

But, without a chalkboard and hyper-qualified brainstorming team handy, that word will have to do. —Ann Hornaday, Anchorage Daily News, 20 July 2023

Residents ages 12 and older will exercise their power beyond the brainstorming phase starting Sept. 13, when voting begins on a slate of 20 potential one-time projects that were shortlisted this summer by a group of volunteers. —Alex Koller, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2023

The collaboration took a lot of brainstorming and iterations until the pair settled on the final version. —Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 20 July 2023

With time of the essence, the rescue team didn’t hold long brainstorming sessions. —Adam Grant, TIME, 24 Oct. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

brainstorming

noun

brain·​storm·​ing -stȯrm-iŋ 

: a technique used to solve problems and encourage creativity in which members of a group share their ideas about a subject

brainstorm verb