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

So much of Brazil strains the imagination—the interminable skyline of São Paulo, the beaches of Rio curving between monoliths of granite, the aquamarine pools trapped between the undulating dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses. —William O'Connor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025

Displays of his costumes will be combined with his narration and behind-the-scenes video, photos and sketches to draw back the curtain to show how imagination becomes reality. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025

God-fearing Florentines initially banned Arabic numerals, but suppression rarely works, particularly if a new technology is capturing people’s imaginations. —Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025

These gorgeous cluster bowls from The Favorites make creating a holiday dip spread, a crudité platter, a taco night, or a baked potato bar—use your imagination—so much faster and easier. —Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025

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
• figment of your 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