brainstorm

present singular third person brainstorms · participle present brainstorming · participle past brainstormed · past brainstormed · alternative brain-storm · alternative brain storm

1. intransitiveTo investigate something, or solve a problem using brainstorming.

   On another occasion, when trying to brainstorm things I could do to make myself feel better despite all the pandemic restrictions, Woebot suggested I “try doing something nice for someone in your life,” like make a calming tea for my housemate or check in with a loved one.

   2022 September 27, Barclay Bram, “My Therapist, the Robot”, in The New York Times

   1 more example

   Meanwihle at Winterfell, another overdone scheme designed mainly to surprise the audience. In the black of her chambers, Sansa brainstorms with Littlefinger what Arya could want. “After she murders you, what does she become?” he asks. To which Sansa does everything but gasp and spit-take, widening her eyes and saying like she’s just realizing it for the first time, “Lady of Winterfell.”

   2017 August 27, Brandon Nowalk, “Game Of Thrones slows down for the longest, and best, episode of the season (newbies)”, in The Onion AV Club

2. intransitiveTo participate in a brainstorming session.
3. transitiveTo think up (ideas); especially, to do so creatively.

   I need you to brainstorm some suggestions for next week's activity schedule.

plural brainstorms · alternative brain-storm · alternative brain storm

1. USA sudden thought, particularly one that solves a long-standing problem.

   I had been working on the problem for weeks, and then I had a brainstorm and saw that the solution was easy.

   Synonyms: brainwave

2. A session of brainstorming, investigating a problem to try to find solutions.
3. UKAn unexpected mental error.

   1 more example

   2005 October 5, "Iguchi hit ruins Red Sox's night", BBC Online, 5 October A terrible fielding error from Tony Graffanino proved costly. … Aaron Rowand collected an RBI double to get them off the mark before Graffanino's brainstorm. Juan Uribe hit a roller to the second baseman, who let the potential inning-ending double-play ball roll under his glove, leaving runners at first and third bases.

4. alternativeAlternative form of brain storm (“activity in the brain, such as a seizure or convulsion”).

   electrical brainstorm