ideational

adjective

ide·​a·​tion·​al ˌī-dē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl 

: of, relating to, or produced by ideation

broadly : of or relating to ideas

ideationally adverb

Synonyms

• abstract
• conceptual
• ideal
• metaphysical
• notional
• theoretical
• theoretic

Examples of ideational in a Sentence

ideograms are ideational—they are meant to suggest some general idea and not a particular word or phrase

Recent Examples on the Web

The United States, of course, cannot share everything—physical or ideational—with its partners. —Thomas G. Mahnken, Foreign Affairs, 5 June 2024

This ideational convergence, deepened by two decades of accumulating trust between India and the United States, has enhanced the strategic partnership and set the stage for even closer cooperation in the future. —Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2020

Steven Spielberg extends Griffith’s and Ford’s historical insight through an astonishing mix of visual and ideational dialectics. —Armond White, National Review, 28 June 2023

Einstein’s theories as ideational relativism. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 3 May 2021

And the Trump Administration is taking concrete steps to encourage this ideational fusion. —Time, 13 Dec. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ideational

adjective

ide·​a·​tion·​al -shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or produced by ideation

broadly : consisting of or referring to ideas or thoughts of objects not immediately present to the senses

ideationally

-ē 

adverb