fixate

verb

fix·​ate ˈfik-ˌsāt 

fixated; fixating

transitive verb

1

: to make fixed, stationary, or unchanging

2

: to focus one's gaze on

3

: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification

intransitive verb

1

: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention intently or obsessively

2

: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development

Examples of fixate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But Postman, then a professor of culture and media studies at NYU, believed Americans were fixated on the wrong dystopia. —Time, 10 Sep. 2025

Then, the industry was fixated on hydrogen and other ways of turning normal gas into something more climate-friendly. —Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Market response Wall Street is fixated on the BLS revision and its implications for Fed policy. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025

The man fidgets, shifts around in his seat and fixates on Zarutska before pulling out a small knife and striking her multiple times around her neck. —Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from fixation, in part as translation of German fixieren

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for fixate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Medical Definition

fixate

verb

fix·​ate ˈfik-ˌsāt 

fixated; fixating

transitive verb

1

: to focus one's gaze on

2

: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification

intransitive verb

1

: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention

an infant with normal vision … will fixate on a light held before him

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

2

: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development