visualize

verb

vi·​su·​al·​ize ˈvi-zhə-wə-ˌlīz 

ˈvi-zhə-ˌlīz,

ˈvizh-wə-ˌlīz

visualized; visualizing

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

• conceit [chiefly dialect]
• conceive
• conjure (up)
• dream
• envisage
• envision
• fancy
• fantasize
• fantasy
• feature
• ideate
• image
• imagine
• picture
• see
• vision

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

Smart Operations Location intelligence can allow enterprises to visualize the location of assets, monitor infrastructure in real time, and automate processes. —Narendra Babu Vattem, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Newsweek has visualized Stein's potential impact in maps and charts. —Joe Edwards, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Favorites such as Triceratops and Stegosaurus populate the pages, visualized with photos of fossils at the Natural History Museum in London, where Barrett works, but readers will undoubtedly meet some unfamiliar species, too. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024

It can be used in music production to manipulate virtual instruments or in interior design apps to visualize room layouts and color palettes. —New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

visualize

verb

vi·​su·​al·​ize ˈvizh-(ə-)wə-ˌlīz 

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 

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