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

Giuffre Roberts became a lightning rod to many people who said they'd been abused or trafficked by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. —Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026

The spiraling cost of foodstuffs has been an increasing focus of consumer pain, with cucumbers becoming the most recent lightning rod for popular discontent. —Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026

Thus, the fate of the position that’s been filled on an interim basis since June and proven a lightning rod of controversy for the first-term mayor remains uncertain. —Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026

Along the way, he was sued by his former cofounder Elon Musk and became a lightning rod executive for the hype and fear surrounding the AI story. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 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
• overawed

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