visualize

verb

vi·​su·​al·​ize ˈvi-zhə-wə-ˌlīz How to pronounce visualize (audio)
ˈvi-zhə-ˌlīz, 
ˈvizh-wə-ˌlīz
visualized; visualizing
Synonyms of visualize

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

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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.
Storytelling can help the person recall information, learn words, and visualize narratives in their head. — Connie Etermadi, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 The drumroll for athletes to ramp up preparations is getting more persistent, and Olympic coaches are beginning to visualize their rosters and lineups. — Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2026 For the new study, Chang’s team created specialized fluorescent animal models that enabled them to visualize and isolate all of the cardiac neurons on the heart. — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026 Tribbett says one upside of AI advances in digital imaging is that people can use these tools to visualize changes and take color risks with more confidence. — Laura Fenton, Midwest Living, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for visualize

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of visualize was in 1848

Rhymes for visualize

See All Rhymes for visualize

Browse Nearby Words

visualization
visualize
visualizer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

visualize

verb
vi·​su·​al·​ize ˈvizh-(ə-)wə-ˌlīz How to pronounce visualize (audio)
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 How to pronounce visualize (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All