internalize

verb

in·​ter·​nal·​ize in-ˈtər-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce internalize (audio)
internalized; internalizing

transitive verb

: to give a subjective character to
specifically : to incorporate (values, patterns of culture, etc.) within the self as conscious or subconscious guiding principles through learning or socialization
internalization
in-ˌtər-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce internalize (audio)
noun

Examples of internalize in a Sentence

They have internalized their parents' values.
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.
This is a mission statement that has been internalized by several awards shows over the past couple decades, as viewership for ceremonies like the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Grammys has fallen. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2026 Ford has internalized the humanity of filmmakers like Mike Leigh, Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Jim Jarmusch. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Subsequent research actually backed him up, finding that habitual calculator use before students had internalized basic arithmetic weakened their mental fluency and fact retrieval. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 The companies that internalize that will be the ones that turn AI ambition into enterprise results. — Patrick Pugh, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for internalize

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of internalize was in 1794

Rhymes for internalize

See All Rhymes for internalize

Browse Nearby Words

internalization
internalize
internally
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Internalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/internalize. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

internalize

transitive verb
in·​ter·​nal·​ize
variants or chiefly British internalise
in-ˈtərn-ᵊl-ˌīz How to pronounce internalize (audio)
internalized or chiefly British internalised; internalizing or chiefly British internalising
: to give a subjective character to
specifically : to incorporate (as values or patterns of culture) within the self as conscious or subconscious guiding principles through learning or socialization
internalization noun
or chiefly British internalisation
-ˌtərn-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce internalize (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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