envision

verb

en·​vi·​sion in-ˈvi-zhən How to pronounce envision (audio)
en-
envisioned; envisioning; envisions

transitive verb

: to picture to oneself
envisions a career dedicated to promoting peace
Choose the Right Synonym for envision

think, conceive, imagine, fancy, realize, envisage, envision mean to form an idea of.

think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection.

I just thought of a good joke

conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed.

envisaged a totally computerized operation
envisioned a cure for the disease

Examples of envision in a Sentence

The inventor envisioned many uses for his creation. She envisioned a better life for herself.
Recent Examples on the Web As wartime passions splinter the left, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, whose boosters envision her eventually running for the presidency, is laboring to hold together a consequential but delicate coalition that has pushed the Democratic Party leftward on climate, policing and economics. Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2023 Musk originally envisioned the vehicle to be used to help humanity get to Mars, which remains SpaceX’s ultimate goal. Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023 The studios’ business plan now envisions a more than €300 million investment, according to sources. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Nov. 2023 Sierra Space originally envisioned the spacecraft carrying both passengers and cargo, but when Space X, Boeing, and Northrup Grumman were quicker to develop such vehicles, the company shifted its focus and resources to building the world’s first commercial runway capable space plane. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2023 The Los Angeles City Council voted for the project last year, delighting bicyclists and community leaders who envision a continuous bike path along the 51-mile river. Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2023 Ford envisions at least three new electric vehicles that will preserve jobs at several factories. Alex Veiga, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2023 The activist envisioned a progressive, multiracial coalition that could move the Democratic Party forward. Zachary Clary, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Nov. 2023 But McNamara envisions situations in which customers purchase multiple units to install side-by-side in a recreational facility near a park or as corporate housing. Byalexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'envision.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of envision was in 1855

Dictionary Entries Near envision

Cite this Entry

“Envision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/envision. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

envision

verb
en·​vi·​sion in-ˈvizh-ən How to pronounce envision (audio)
: to picture to oneself
envisions herself as a doctor
could not envision the building from the description

More from Merriam-Webster on envision

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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