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

Americans will observe Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, a day that has become a lightning rod of controversy.

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Americans will observe Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, a day that has become a lightning rod of controversy.

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Social Security remains a lightning rod in American politics, with debates over solvency, benefits and generational fairness heating up ahead of the midterms.

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Some Disney execs were belatedly uncomfortable with Kimmel’s monologue, which became a lightning rod for conservatives on social media.

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As a rookie in 2023, Johnston was a lightning rod for ridicule on social media for his inconsistent performances — particularly drops — with many expecting more from a former first-round pick.

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