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• think tank
  think tank

  noun

  a research institute or organization employed to solve complex problems or predict or plan future developments, as in military, political, or social areas.
• think-tank
  think-tank

  noun

  a group of specialists organized by a business enterprise, governmental body, etc, and commissioned to undertake intensive study and research into specified problems

think tank

American  

noun

1. a research institute or organization employed to solve complex problems or predict or plan future developments, as in military, political, or social areas.

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think-tank British  

noun

1. informal a group of specialists organized by a business enterprise, governmental body, etc, and commissioned to undertake intensive study and research into specified problems

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think tank Cultural  

1. An institution in which scholars pursue research in public policy. Largely funded by endowments and grants, think tanks work to improve public awareness of policy issues (through publications) and to influence the government to act upon issues of national importance. (See power elite.)

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think tank Idioms  

1. A group or organization dedicated to problem-solving and research, especially in such areas as technology, social or political strategy, and the military. For example, The congressional leaders rely too heavily on that conservative think tank. This term originated about 1900 as a facetious colloquialism for brain and was given its new meaning about 1950.

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Etymology

Origin of think tank

1900–05 for earlier sense “brain”; 1955–60 for current sense

Example Sentences

The review of the draft executive order “hasn’t been a really transparent process,” said James Lewis, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

“For now, the flow of people ready to be recruited for money still continues,” said Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, a think tank in Berlin.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Professor Anand Menon, director of the UK in a Changing Europe think tank, agrees.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

"We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I'll be standing," Streeting said in a speech and question-and-answer session at a think tank event in London.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

“Did y’all know Petey has a meeting with a think tank on Saturday?”

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles