lightning rod
noun/ˈlaɪtnɪŋ rɒd/
/ˈlaɪtnɪŋ rɑːd/
(especially North American English) (British English usually lightning conductor)
- a long straight piece of metal or wire leading from the highest part of a building to the ground, put there to prevent lightning damaging the building
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- a person or thing that attracts criticism, especially if the criticism is then not directed at somebody/something else
Check pronunciation:
lightning rod