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Synonyms

lightning conductor

British  

noun

  1. a metal strip terminating in a series of sharp points, attached to the highest part of a building, etc, to discharge the electric field before it can reach a dangerous level and cause a lightning strike

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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We are also about to find out what happens when the lightning conductor is removed from a building and it remains stormy.

From BBC Feb. 9, 2026

On internet chatrooms and in online debates, he is a ubiquitous reference point, a lightning conductor in many contemporary social and intellectual disagreements.

From The Guardian Feb. 16, 2019

In general, Shapiro sees Shakespeare in a more benign context as a lightning conductor for American political and economic culture.

From The Guardian Apr. 9, 2016

Wayne Rooney will always be a lightning conductor for debate and conjecture in an England context.

From BBC Oct. 12, 2014

You could see the lightning conductor over the Pope's apartment!

From The Eternal City by Caine, Hall, Sir

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