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.

Examples of lightning rod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

More might be coming, but the Royals reassigned hitting coach Alec Zumwalt, who had become a lightning rod for fan discontent. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026

This has caused a funding crisis that has become something of a lightning rod for culture wars debates over the future of the BBC. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

Household costs have become a political lightning rod, both in the run-up to the 2024 presidential elections and again in 2026, ahead of the midterms. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

None of this happened overnight, though goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s late-summer departure to Como on loan appears to have promoted Gusto to the position of chief lightning rod when Chelsea are struggling. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lightning rod

• amphipod
• arthropod
• copepod
• decapod
• endopod
• escalade
• esplanade
• exopod
• gastropod
• goldenrod
• isopod
• ostracod

Kids Definition

lightning rod

noun

: a metal rod set up on a building or a ship and connected with the earth or water below to decrease the chances of damage from lightning