brainstorming

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

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

: 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

There have been brainstorming sessions about the police force.

— scott gold, latimes.com, "Harry Anderson: Bringing magic to the Big Easy," 17 Apr. 2018
Suits That Rock began in 2007 as a fundraising idea during a brainstorming session between Kevin Canafax and John Domaschko.

— jennie key, Cincinnati.com, "Suits That Rock benefit party goes toga for 2018," 4 Apr. 2018
Their brainstorming, however, set Lau’s mind in motion.

— lawrence elizabeth knox, Houston Chronicle, "The inspiring songs of the ‘Nightingale’ at ROCO," 4 Apr. 2018
According to sources, the discussions began during a Republican brainstorming session on solutions to wage inequality.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Report: Trump, GOP Seriously Considering Reparations to Attract Black Voters," 1 Apr. 2018
This mysterious spacecraft is much more than just a simple brainstorming exercise.

— anatoly zak, Popular Mechanics, "Ukraine Is Building a Spaceplane for...Saudi Arabia?," 14 Mar. 2018
Were the two brainstorming ideas for another Elgort calendar, which Chalamet exposed in January?

— shannon barbour, Cosmopolitan, "Ansel Elgort and Timothée Chalamet Had the Cutest Reunion at the Oscars," 5 Mar. 2018
Brown: Even the most junior professionals know that their ideas will be heard, so brainstorming often occurs organically over lunch or in meetings.

— lori johnston, ajc, "Leaders of top workplaces share their views," 3 Mar. 2018
The combination of elevated mood and decreased vigilance makes it a very good time for brainstorming for more creative kinds of things that require a degree of looseness.

— clay skipper, GQ, "The Secret to Being a Productive Human: Take More Breaks (and Naps!)," 8 Feb. 2018

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.