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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

Matt Duss, executive vice president at the Center for International Policy, a progressive think tank, said President Trump appears to be on a warpath.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

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

But Emilio Morales, a co-founder of the Miami-based think tank Cuba Siglo 21, puts that figure closer to 70%.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

The politically independent think tank Centre for London is calling for a radical shake-up of how the capital is run, with significantly greater powers handed to the mayor of London role.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

This particular think tank was the Thornton Unified Research and Development Institute.

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