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

In a film industry increasingly fixated on the bigger, better and bolder — from CGI to motion capture or greenscreen technology — nothing gets Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham more excited than traditional stop-motion animation. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025

Here are the top moments from the 2025 Super Bowl, according to social media: Viewers fixated on score box design One early topic of discussion was the score box featured on screen throughout the game. —Carolyn Burt, Orange County Register, 9 Feb. 2025

There’s a prominent picture from that day — Mahomes and Hampton jogging stride for stride, the kid’s eyes fixated on tracking a fly ball during the team’s batting practice. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2025

Though less than 1% of fentanyl trafficked into the US comes from Canada, Trump has fixated on the prospect of opiates streaming in over the northern border. —Max Saltman, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025

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