ideation

noun

ide·​a·​tion ˌī-dē-ˈā-shən 

: the capacity for or the act of forming or entertaining ideas

Local coaches and mentors guide student teams through the process of ideation, market research, and business plan development …

—Maryann Mills

… the new space offers a smorgasbord of work environments—cozy two-chair-and-a-screen setups for small Zoom gatherings, … and floor-to-ceiling whiteboards in some places for spontaneous ideation …

—Chase DiFeliciantonio

see also suicidal ideation

Synonyms

• contrivance
• creativity
• fancy
• fantasy
• phantasy
• imagination
• imaginativeness
• invention
• inventiveness
• originality

Examples of ideation in a Sentence

a product designer who went from ideation to creation quickly

Recent Examples on the Web

The first version is typically ideation, while the second and third versions are normally based on in-depth testing of usability and accessibility. —Goran Paun, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Zoom out: The report documents Hale's extensive mental health issues and homicidal ideation. —Adam Tamburin, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025

However, adoption varies—many organizations are still exploring AI's potential, while leaders are embedding it directly into ideation pipelines. —Ludwig Melik, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Areas like technology scouting and ideation—where large volumes of data must be analyzed and patterns identified—benefit significantly from AI’s ability to surface trends, highlight opportunities and connect disparate ideas. —Ludwig Melik, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ideation

• suicidal ideation

Rhymes for ideation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Medical Definition

ideation

noun

ide·​a·​tion ˌīd-ē-ˈā-shən 

: the capacity for or the act of forming or entertaining ideas

The spectrum of paranoid ideation goes from mild distrust and suspiciousness to full-blown persecutory delusions.

—R. Bianchi and L. Janin, Occupational Medicine

The cognitive ability to generate many creative ideas, or creative ideation, is one facet of creativity.

—Tammy C. Pannells and Amy F. Claxton, Creativity Research Journal

see also suicidal ideation