noun

brainstorming

/ˈbreɪnstɔːrmɪŋ/ · say it: BRAYN·stor·ming

generating many ideas freely in a group

In more detail

1. (noun) a group activity where people suggest many ideas quickly without judging them, to solve a problem or create something new

2. (verb) to have a brainstorming session; to think of ideas quickly with others

Examples

1. We had a brainstorming session to come up with ideas for the new product.
2. Let's brainstorm some solutions to this problem.

How to use brainstorming

Brainstorming is used in both professional and educational contexts to describe a structured or semi-structured process of generating multiple ideas rapidly without immediate criticism. It emphasizes quantity over quality initially, with evaluation coming later. The term is neutral and widely used in business, education, and creative industries.

Common phrases

brainstorming session
brainstorming ideas
brainstorming meeting
brainstorming technique
brainstorm with colleagues
brainstorm a solution

Synonyms

ideation · creative thinking · idea generation · problem-solving session · collaborative thinking

Word family

brainstorm (verb) · brainstormer (noun) · brainstorming (noun/gerund)

A common mistake

Learners often use 'brainstorming' as a countable noun when it functions as both countable (a brainstorming, brainstormings) and uncountable (brainstorming is useful); the countable usage is less common but natural in phrases like 'we did several brainstormings last week.'

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