think tank

noun

: an institute, corporation, or group organized to study a particular subject (such as a policy issue or a scientific problem) and provide information, ideas, and advice
an information technology think tank
… was responsible for the armies of new political-action committees, lobbyists and rightward think tanks that poured into Washington to counter the consumer and environmental movements he helped to inspire.Jonathan Rowe

Examples of think tank in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In 2018, the Rocky Mountain Institute—a U.S. think tank focused on energy policy—offered a $1 million prize for residential cooling solutions that have a five times lower climate impact than a standard air conditioner, at no more than twice the cost. Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024 Gauging popular opinion is difficult in authoritarian countries like Russia, where many are fearful of criticizing the Kremlin and the few independent polling organizations and think tanks operate under strict surveillance. Christian Edwards, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 The other way to support our mission is to make a tax-deductible gift to National Review Institute, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit journalistic think tank our founder, William F. Buckley Jr., created to advance and defend conservative ideas. Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 14 Mar. 2024 According to a June 2023 polling report by the think tank Data For Progress, 8 percent of transgender adults have moved out of communities or states because of the uptick in anti-trans legislation, and another 43 percent have considered doing so. Seyward Darby, Longreads, 13 Mar. 2024 The conservative think tank has made headlines lately for its role in fomenting outrage over diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024 The think tank behind the study warns slow repayments, which AB InBev insists only affect its larger suppliers, are likely having a major impact on small businesses living hand-to-mouth and reliant on cash from multibillion-dollar companies. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 12 Mar. 2024 So much so that two frequently opposing think tanks — the American Enterprise Institute and the Progressive Policy Institute — recently hosted a joint event in Washington on increasing housing supply. Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 News reports about a rising conservative think tank express concerns about its ties to the movement. Will Carless, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'think tank.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of think tank was in 1958

Dictionary Entries Near think tank

Cite this Entry

“Think tank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/think%20tank. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

think tank

noun
: an organization formed to think up new solutions especially for social and scientific problems
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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