imagination
noun
imag·i·na·tion
i-ˌma-jə-ˈnā-shən 
1
: the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality
2
a
: creative ability
b
: ability to confront and deal with a problem : resourcefulness
use your imagination and get us out of here
c
: the thinking or active mind : interest
stories that fired the imagination
3
a
: a creation of the mind
especially
: an idealized or poetic creation
b
: fanciful or empty assumption
Examples of imagination in a Sentence
You can find a solution if you use a little imagination.
The author does not tell us what happens to the characters. We have to use our imagination.
He's a competent writer, but he lacks imagination.
Is it just my imagination, or is it getting warm in here?
Recent Examples on the Web
Use your imagination to write the opening of a short story or poem inspired by this photo.
—
The Learning Network, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Teams like Providence, Villanova, Syracuse, BC (Boston College) and Saint John’s were good teams back then, but none of them were national players by any stretch of the imagination in the national landscape.
—Emile Nuh, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
This quickly sparked imagination about the technology's broader possibilities.
—Eilon Reshef, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Ground your energy and try not to get lost in the haze — what may feel like a revelation could be your imagination playing tricks on you.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imagination
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The Learning Network, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Teams like Providence, Villanova, Syracuse, BC (Boston College) and Saint John’s were good teams back then, but none of them were national players by any stretch of the imagination in the national landscape.
—Emile Nuh, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
This quickly sparked imagination about the technology's broader possibilities.
—Eilon Reshef, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Ground your energy and try not to get lost in the haze — what may feel like a revelation could be your imagination playing tricks on you.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imagination
Cite this Entry
“Imagination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imagination. Accessed 7 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imagination
noun
imag·i·na·tion
im-ˌaj-ə-ˈnā-shən
1
: the act or power of forming a mental picture of something not present and especially of something one has not known or experienced
2
: creative ability
3
: a creation of the mind
Medical Definition
imagination
noun
imag·i·na·tion
im-ˌaj-ə-ˈnā-shən
: an act or process of forming a conscious idea or mental image of something never before wholly perceived in reality by the one forming the images (as through a synthesis of remembered elements of previous sensory experiences or ideas as modified by unconscious defense mechanisms)
also
: the ability or gift of forming such conscious ideas or mental images especially for the purposes of artistic or intellectual creation
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