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

• conceit [chiefly dialect]
• conceive
• conjure (up)
• dream
• envisage
• envision
• fancy
• fantasize
• fantasy
• feature
• ideate
• image
• imagine
• picture
• see
• vision

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

To read their legislation is to visualize a map of the physical and psychic toll the nation’s nuclear weapons’ legacy has seared into communities across the country, years after the first atomic test at Los Alamos. —Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024

One of the advances is a method of objectively measuring the inability to visualize. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024

Additionally, students will create maps to visualize the eclipse’s trajectory, according to Padilla. —Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2024

Being able to clearly visualize your money and where it’s being spent is the best way to prepare for your future financial goals. —Chris Dobstaff, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024

Take a few moments each day to look at your vision board and visualize yourself achieving your goals. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

See how many went out and for how much USA TODAY, March 11, 2021, All of the COVID-19 stimulus bills, visualized IRS, accessed March 25, Tax scams/Consumer alerts Alejandra Castro, March 26, Email exchange with USA TODAY Thank you for supporting our journalism. —USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024

Business leaders and managers can also brainstorm using Visio, which offers templates for visualizing problems and finding solutions. —Stackcommerce Team, PCMAG, 26 Mar. 2024

Its beautiful beaches and network of navigable waterways, known as The Broads, might be the first things to come to mind for some when visualizing England’s Norfolk County. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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