imagination

noun

imag·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌma-jə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality

the invention only exists in his imagination

children with overactive imaginations

It's a figment of your imagination.

2

a

: creative ability

a competent writer but with little imagination

b

: ability to confront and deal with a problem : resourcefulness

Use your imagination and get us out of here.

c

: the thinking or active mind : interest

stories that fire/catch/capture the imagination

3

a

: a creative product of the mind

especially : an idealized or poetic creation

b

: fanciful or empty assumption

… she would carry the vivid imaginations away with her and brood over them the next day alone.

—Theodore Dreiser

c

: something that only exists in one's mind

Is it my imagination, or is it getting hot in here?

Synonyms of imagination

• creativity
• imaginativeness

Examples of imagination in a Sentence

You can find a solution if you use a little imagination.

The author does not tell us what happens to the characters. We have to use our imagination.

He's a competent writer, but he lacks imagination.

Is it just my imagination, or is it getting warm in here?

Recent Examples on the Web

Childs’ exalted use of dance and Kosky’s dazzling theatrical imagination may have moved us into a sleeker, more sophisticated and paradisal Glassian realm, but the sheer passion McDermott and Stasevska bring continues its own attraction. —Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Artificial women, in the cultural imagination, are always created as adults and immediately assigned a purpose, which is always defined by someone else’s desire. —Kennedy French, Variety, 6 Mar. 2026

Their imagination really shows through in the color and flavor the girls add to the mix. —Libby Smith, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026

However, this is good news for artists and writers who rely on their imagination. —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ymaginacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French ymaginacion, borrowed from Latin imāginātiōn-, imāginātiō, from imāginārī "to imagine" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing imagination

• a figment of one's imagination
• by any/no stretch of the imagination
• capture/catch someone's imagination
• capture someone's imagination
• catch the imagination of
• caught the public imagination
• flight of fancy/imagination/fantasy
• leave little to the imagination
• leave nothing to the imagination
• leave something to the imagination
• lively imagination

Rhymes for imagination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

imagination

noun

imag·​i·​na·​tion im-ˌaj-ə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the act or power of forming a mental picture of something not present and especially of something one has not known or experienced

2

: creative ability

3

: a creation of the mind

Medical Definition

imagination

noun

imag·​i·​na·​tion im-ˌaj-ə-ˈnā-shən 

: an act or process of forming a conscious idea or mental image of something never before wholly perceived in reality by the one forming the images (as through a synthesis of remembered elements of previous sensory experiences or ideas as modified by unconscious defense mechanisms)

also : the ability or gift of forming such conscious ideas or mental images especially for the purposes of artistic or intellectual creation