LIGHTNING ROD

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does lightning rod mean? 

• LIGHTNING ROD (noun)
  The noun LIGHTNING ROD has 2 senses:

1. someone who is a frequent target of negative reactions and serves to distract attention from another

2. a metallic conductor that is attached to a high point and leads to the ground; protects the building from destruction by lightning

  Familiarity information: LIGHTNING ROD used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LIGHTNING ROD (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Someone who is a frequent target of negative reactions and serves to distract attention from another

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("lightning rod" is a kind of...):

individual; mortal; person; somebody; someone; soul (a human being)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A metallic conductor that is attached to a high point and leads to the ground; protects the building from destruction by lightning

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

lightning conductor; lightning rod

Hypernyms ("lightning rod" is a kind of...):

conductor (a device designed to transmit electricity, heat, etc.)