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 tanks
-
pluralof think tank.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
FFRDCs are government-funded, privately operated research centers that include private, non-profit think tanks and major research universities.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026
Before becoming MP for Lincoln, he had worked for the Foreign Office and for the Institute for Public Policy Research and Labour Together think tanks.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
After a life devoted to public service or writing for think tanks, he isn’t a wealthy man.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026
The think tanks and analysts who shaped that discourse were wrong about nearly everything and were rewarded with more airtime.
From Salon ● May 9, 2026
“It is a big deal. The Thornton Institute is one of the biggest think tanks in the country.”
From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles
