fixate

verb

fix·​ate ˈfik-ˌsāt 

fixated; fixating

transitive verb

1

: to make fixed, stationary, or unchanging

2

: to focus one's gaze on

3

: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification

intransitive verb

1

: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention intently or obsessively

2

: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development

Examples of fixate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People are still fixated about the interest rate moves. —Clem Chambers, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

Assassination attempt suspect was fixated on Ukraine, sources said. —Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2024

Ironically, the program’s big repertoire work was the one that would have most benefited from a panoramic view rather than fixating on the small stuff. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2024

Vanity Fair reporter Dominick Dunne (Nathan Lane) fixates on the case’s details. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from fixation, in part as translation of German fixieren

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Medical Definition

fixate

verb

fix·​ate ˈfik-ˌsāt 

fixated; fixating

transitive verb

1

: to focus one's gaze on

2

: to direct (the libido) toward an infantile form of gratification

intransitive verb

1

: to focus or concentrate one's gaze or attention

an infant with normal vision … will fixate on a light held before him

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

2

: to undergo arrestment at a stage of development