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

This defiant and entertaining work playfully uses headshots and avatars to visualize clandestine audio recordings documenting years of Kafkaesque impositions, threats, and vital dissident art. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025

During Dickerson’s trial, the prosecutor had played a tape of his graphic confession, and John had visualized strangling him. —Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

The top celebrity to visualize while reading for baby boomers, who were born between 1946 and 1964, turned out to be Brad Pitt. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025

Whether visualizing business processes, designing floor plans, or illustrating a team structure, Visio gives you the tools to bring even your most intricate ideas to life without the headache of tedious manual adjustments. —Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 2 Feb. 2025

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