internalize

verb in·ter·nal·ize \ in-ˈtər-nə-ˌlīz \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

internalized; internalizing

: to give a subjective character to; specifically : to incorporate (values, patterns of culture, etc.) within the self as conscious or subconscious guiding principles through learning or socialization

—

internalization

play \in-ˌtər-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

See internalize defined for English-language learners

Examples of internalize in a Sentence

They have internalized their parents' values.

Recent Examples of internalize from the Web

So the manager or coach internalizes the pressure and stress.

— terry pluto, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona can identify with Tyronn Lue -- Terry Pluto," 19 June 2017
The defeatists who underestimate its strengths, who say its survival depends on retreating rather than advancing, simply haven’t internalized the basic truths of Jewish history and religion.

— WSJ, "No Israel-Palestine Solution After 70 Years," 20 Apr. 2018
Firms have two choices for survival—replace workers with machines wholesale, or internalize the agility of the market by flattening hierarchies.

— david z. morris, Fortune, "Why Big Data Could Create Big Problems in the Stock Market," 16 Apr. 2018
My hope was to internalize Celsius, not just to learn it but to feel it in my American flesh.

— matthew kassel, New York Times, "Letter of Recommendation: Celsius," 28 Feb. 2018
Young people appear to have internalized irrational social ideals of the perfectible self that, while unrealistic, are to them eminently desirable and obtainable.

— lizzie plaugic, The Verge, "Inside the surreal, probably inevitable world of plastic surgery apps," 6 Apr. 2018
Women, meanwhile, are more likely to internalize it.

— valentina zarya, Fortune, "Maya Angelou, UK Pay Gap, Rebecca Dallet: Broadsheet April 5," 5 Apr. 2018
That type of preparation could take dozens of hours, a challenge for a president with a short attention span, and require Trump to internalize and buy into the message his lawyers craft for him.

— shannon pettypiece, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Legal Team Departure Opens Gaps in Mueller Probe Defense," 4 Apr. 2018
In Their Own Words One of the major trends that jumps off the report’s page is how prevalent isolation and internalized shame are in these women’s lives.

— kellee terrell, The Root, "How Isolation, Stigma and Shame Are Killing Black Women Living With HIV," 13 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'internalize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of internalize

1794

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

INTERNALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

internalize

verb

: to make (something, such as an idea or an attitude) an important part of the kind of person you are

Medical Dictionary

internalize

transitive verb in·ter·nal·ize

variants: or chiefly British internalise play \in-ˈtərn-ᵊl-ˌīz\

internalized or chiefly British internalised; internalizing or chiefly British internalising

: to give a subjective character to; specifically : to incorporate (as values or patterns of culture) within the self as conscious or subconscious guiding principles through learning or socialization

—

internalization

or chiefly British internalisation play \-ˌtərn-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

Learn More about internalize

Britannica English: Translation of internalize for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up internalize? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

internalize

internalization

Examples of internalize in a Sentence

Recent Examples of internalize from the Web

First Known Use of internalize

INTERNALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

internalize

Medical Dictionary

internalize

internalization

Learn More about internalize

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

besot

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

9 Words from the Magical Realm

A Field Guide to British Noble Titles

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Putting the History of 'Limelight' Center Stage

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Farm Idioms Quiz

True or False?

Dictionary Devil

9 Words from the Magical Realm

A Field Guide to British Noble Titles

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word

internalize

internalization

Examples of internalize in a Sentence

Recent Examples of internalize from the Web

First Known Use of internalize

INTERNALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

internalize

Medical Dictionary

internalize

internalization

Learn More about internalize

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

9 Words from the Magical Realm

A Field Guide to British Noble Titles

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word