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

Wall Street will also be fixated on whether big tech companies can continue to impress with earnings. —John Towfighi, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025

Right-wing figures have fixated on how Mamdani eats rice with his fingers, which is how it's traditionally eaten where his family originates in India. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025

The former real estate developer has long been fixated on building a big White House ballroom. —Darlene Superville, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025

Parasocially fixating on microcelebrities who want their money. —Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 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