visualize

verb

vi·​su·​al·​ize ˈvi-zhə-wə-ˌlīz 

ˈvi-zhə-ˌlīz, 

ˈvizh-wə-ˌlīz

visualized; visualizing

transitive verb

: to make visible: such as

a

: to see or form a mental image of : envisage

trying to visualize the problem

b

: to make (an internal organ or part) visible by radiographic visualization

intransitive verb

: to form a mental visual image

Synonyms of visualize

• imagine
• envision
• see
• picture

Examples of visualize in a Sentence

She tried to visualize the scene he was describing.

Before you swing, visualize yourself hitting the ball.

Recent Examples on the Web

Measuring neuronal activity On top of visualizing the brain’s structures and layout, the ability to manipulate electricity has allowed researchers to learn how neurons communicate. — Kimberlee D'ardenne, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

Carbon Mapper chief executive Riley Duren, who worked at NASA for 30 years, said the company aims to visualize 90% of methane emissions around the planet eventually. — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

To calculate the number of holes even in large dimensions—when people can no longer visualize these figures—mathematicians use special tricks. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

The throwing is just a way to visualize it within the virtual space. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for visualize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

visualize

verb

vi·​su·​al·​ize ˈvizh-(ə-)wə-ˌlīz 

ˈvizh-ə-ˌlīz

visualized; visualizing

: to make visible

especially : to form a mental image of

Medical Definition

visualize

transitive verb

vi·​su·​al·​ize

variants also British visualise

ˈvizh-(ə-)wə-ˌlīz, ˈvizh-ə-ˌlīz 

visualized also British visualised; visualizing also British visualising

: to make visible: as

a

: to see or form a mental image of

b

: to make (an organ) visible by radiographic visualization

visualize the gallbladder

c

: to prepare (as an organism or tissue) for microscopic examination especially by staining