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

Nevarez practices visualization before every game, standing by herself, bat in hand, visualizing how that day’s pitcher will pitch to her. —Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026

Ability to manipulate and visualize images, shapes, and 3D space. —Big Think, 6 Apr. 2026

Basking in the moonlight and visualizing his success apparently worked, because Kelce has become one of the greatest players in NFL history. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026

In addition, the Artemis Real-time Orbit Website (AROW) visualizes exactly where Orion and the crew are using data collected by sensors on the craft and sent to the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. —Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for visualize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

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