think tank

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.

think-tank

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

think tank

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.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of think tank¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

“This is the new baseline normal,” said Jason Hsu, a former Taiwan lawmaker and now a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, a Washington think tank.

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The professor takes a principled stand against the think tank’s bad turn.

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Following Summers' announcement on Monday, the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank in Washington where Summers was a senior fellow, confirmed that Summers was no longer affiliated with the organisation.

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"It would be a way of putting pressure on delegates to move quickly to resolve issues," David Waskow, international climate director at the World Resources Institute think tank, told AFP.

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The Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank in Washington where Summers was a senior fellow, announced on its website on Monday that he is no longer affiliated with the center.

Read more on BBC