lightning rod

noun

1. a rodlike conductor installed to divert lightning away from a structure by providing a direct path to the ground.

2. a person or thing that attracts and absorbs powerful and especially negative or hostile feelings, opinions, etc., thereby diverting such feelings from other targets.

   The unpopular supervisor served as a lightning rod for the criticism that should have been aimed at management.

lightning rod

1. A grounded metal rod placed high on a structure to conduct electrical current from a lightning strike directly to the ground, preventing the currents from injuring people or animals or from damaging objects. Lightning rods usually have a sharp, pointed tip, since electric lines of force are more highly concentrated around pointed objects, in this case increasing the attractiveness of the rod compared with other nearby objects.

2. See also Saint Elmo's fire

Word History and Origins

Origin of lightning rod¹

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90

Example Sentences

He’s also become a lightning rod of controversy.

From Los Angeles Times

His lack of insight made him a continued threat, the governor wrote, and described him as “an ideological lightning rod” who might inspire further political violence.

From Los Angeles Times

But even before a single episode was broadcast, Zero Day Attack has become a political lightning rod, given the charged topic.

From BBC

Then there are the conversations about uncomfortable, and sometimes controversial, subjects that contestants have delved into too - in some cases a lightning rod for national discussions.

From BBC

As such, he has already been made a lightning rod for right-wing culture war tantrums–the exact kind of division Theophilus warns against in "The Ritual."

From Salon