vocalize

verb

vo·​cal·​ize ˈvō-kə-ˌlīz How to pronounce vocalize (audio)
vocalized; vocalizing

transitive verb

1
: to give voice to : utter
specifically : sing
2
a
: to make voiced rather than voiceless : voice
b
: to convert to a vowel
3
: to furnish (something, such as a consonantal Hebrew or Arabic text) with vowels or vowel points

intransitive verb

1
: to utter vocal sounds
2
: sing
specifically : to sing without words
vocalization noun
vocalizer noun

Examples of vocalize in a Sentence

The male bird vocalizes to attract a mate. she's not one to vocalize her worries
Recent Examples on the Web Harrington also vocalized her excitement on the appointment of Black scholar Jonathan Michael Square as a committee member for this year’s exhibition. Taylor Crumpton, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024 When a company gets breached, the industry vocalizes disbelief, but human error is the starting point of the investigation, never the conclusion. Grant Bourzikas, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 These groups have vocalized discontent with former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris for the candidates' unwillingness to commit to a ceasefire and arms embargo on Israel. Carrie Shepherd, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024 Unsurprisingly, a growing segment within the system’s political class and propaganda networks is more loudly vocalizing calls that had previously been whispers: shedding the nuclear program’s ostensibly peaceful pretense and moving toward weaponization as the ultimate deterrent. Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vocalize 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vocalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1669, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vocalize was in 1669

Dictionary Entries Near vocalize

Cite this Entry

“Vocalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vocalize. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

vocalize

verb
vo·​cal·​ize ˈvō-kə-ˌlīz How to pronounce vocalize (audio)
vocalized; vocalizing
: to give voice to
especially : sing entry 1 sense 1a
vocalizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vocalize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!