lightning rod

noun

1

: a grounded metallic rod set up on a structure (such as a building) to protect it from lightning

2

: one that serves to divert attack from another

3

: one that is a frequent target of criticism or focus of controversy

she has become a convenient lightning rod for voters' discontent with law-and-order issues

—Aric Press et al.

Examples of lightning rod in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ferguson, who is already one of the FTC's five commissioners, will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior. —CBS News, 10 Dec. 2024

Pete Hegseth, a U.S. Army veteran and former Fox News personality, has become a lightning rod for controversy. —Forbestv, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

The scheme became a lightning rod for conservatives in the wake of hurricanes in North Carolina and Florida, when DHS requested extra funding from Congress. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 14 Nov. 2024

Social Media Weighs In The video quickly became a lightning rod for opinions, with users from around the world sharing their perspectives. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lightning rod

noun

: a metal rod set up on a building or a ship and connected with the earth or water below to decrease the chances of damage from lightning