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

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

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

"When a human has an agent of their own, a company has a super employee," he said of brainstorming and delegating tasks to Trinity AI agents conversationally while commuting.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

"No names yet but we are brainstorming," he said.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 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

We began assembling groups of reporters and editors from different sections of the paper for brainstorming sessions that were long, intense, and inconclusive.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times