conceptualize

verb

con·​cep·​tu·​al·​ize kən-ˈsep-chə-wə-ˌlīz 

-chü-ə-, 

-chə-ˌlīz, 

-shwə-ˌlīz

conceptualized; conceptualizing

transitive verb

: to form a concept of

conceptualize a new car design

especially : to interpret conceptually

conceptualizing reality

conceptualization

kən-ˌsep-chə-wə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-chü-ə-, 

-chə-lə-ˈzā-, 

-shwə-lə-ˈzā-

noun

conceptualizer

kən-ˈsep-chə-wə-ˌlī-zər 

-chü-ə-, 

-chə-ˌlī-, 

-shwə-ˌlī-

noun

Examples of conceptualize in a Sentence

She described her plans to me, but I found them hard to conceptualize.

He conceptualizes the family as an economic unit.

A programmer needs to analyze and conceptualize in order to solve problems.

Recent Examples on the Web

The committee conceptualized the academy as a place where students can take high-level career classes, technical education classes and advanced academic classes for college credit. —Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026

The theory of news values and research on gatekeepers and social psychological approaches conceptualize news decisions from the perspective of journalists without placing sources at the center of consideration. —Florian Wintterlin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026

The team from Saarland University and the Saarbrücken Center for Mechatronics and Automation Technology (ZeMA) conceptualized it around elastocaloric technology. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026

Unlike Meta’s glasses, whose frames are designed by Ray-Ban, Apple’s frames will be conceptualized by an in-house team. —Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see conceptual

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for conceptualize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize
• democratize