summarize

verb

sum·​ma·​rize ˈsə-mə-ˌrīz How to pronounce summarize (audio)
summarized; summarizing

transitive verb

: to tell in or reduce to a summary

intransitive verb

: to make a summary
summarizable adjective
summarizer noun

Examples of summarize in a Sentence

I would like to take a moment to summarize the facts that I presented earlier. He summarized by saying we needed better planning and implementation. To summarize, we need better schools.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Among its tasks will be assisting with coding, acting as a translation tool and summarize complex documents for workers. Chris Morris, Fortune, 24 June 2025 The Pandemic Greases the Wheels The evidence summarized in Karlin's fact sheet had been around for decades. Liana Simstrom, NPR, 22 June 2025 These are sometimes the basic tasks that go to AI—summarizing information, intaking multiple sources and outputting the most relevant steps and crafting customer support emails. Amy Friedrich, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 In our current reading regime, summarized or altered texts are the exception, not the rule. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for summarize

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of summarize was in 1832

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Summarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summarize. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

summarize

verb
sum·​ma·​rize ˈsəm-ə-ˌrīz How to pronounce summarize (audio)
summarized; summarizing
1
: to tell in or reduce to a summary
2
: to make a summary
summarizable adjective
summarizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on summarize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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