brainstorming

American  

[breyn-stawr-ming] / ˈbreɪnˌstɔr mɪŋ /

noun

1. a technique for generating ideas and solving specific problems with uncensored and nonlinear thinking, usually performed through group participation in a spontaneous discussion where all ideas are noted without assigning them value, and no proposal is selected or discarded until after the conclusion of the creative exercise.

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brainstorming British  

/ ˈbreɪnˌstɔːmɪŋ /

noun

1. intensive discussion to solve problems or generate ideas

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Etymology

Origin of brainstorming

First recorded in 1955–60; brainstorm + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

After speaker introductions, the brainstorming began to “right this ship,” as one person said, and to keep exploring ways to stop data centers.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

Finally, there are things that don’t require AI at all, like challenging your assumptions or brainstorming with colleagues.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

Billed as a "strategic brainstorming," Thursday's talks were not expected to produce immediate action.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

Amazon executives were brainstorming a list of female directors in late 2024 for a documentary about Melania Trump, a project the company had bid $40 million to distribute.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

She was brainstorming ideas on how to leak something that wasn’t hers in the first place.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee