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

But the friendly ties remain vulnerable to domestic backlash, said Andrew Yeo, a senior fellow who focuses on Korean issues at the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

From The Wall Street Journal

A research paper published last year by The Cultural Policy Unit, a British museum think tank, opposed it for both practical and philosophical reasons.

From Barron's

“That makes sense for private property but not for nations,” said Fontaine, who now runs the Center for a New American Security, a think tank in Washington.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, the think tank said Robison was facing a £1bn shortfall in the capital budget, which is used for long-term infrastructure projects, as well as services such as maintaining roads.

From BBC

These reviews can increase project costs by 11% to 16%, according to a study by the Citizens Budget Commission, a New York think tank.

From The Wall Street Journal