Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “brainstorm” come from?

Brainstorm comes from English brain and English storm, themselves from Middle English brayn (from Proto-Germanic sturmaz, meaning tumult) and Middle English storm, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European roots.

brainstorm (English): To investigate something, or solve a problem...

Definitions

  1. To investigate something, or solve a problem...

Ancestry of “brainstorm”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishbrainThe control center of the central nervous system...
2Middle EnglishbraynThe brain or cerebrum; the organ of thought;...
3Old Englishbræġnbrain
4Proto-West Germanic*bragn—
5Proto-Germanicbragnąbrain
6Proto-Indo-Europeanmregʰnomskull, brain
7Proto-Indo-Europeanmen-to think, mind; spiritual activity; to stay,...

Words derived from “brainstorm”

  • brainstorming
  • brainstormer
  • brainstorming
  • брейнсторминг
  • ブレインストーミング
Every word from Proto-Indo-European men- →