imagination

noun

imag·​i·​na·​tion i-ˌma-jə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce imagination (audio)
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 In the popular imagination, the islands are a place where plush resorts fringed by loamy sand invite you to do nothing at all. David Swanson, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024 The colorful pieces easily click together, so kids can harness the power of their imagination and create any number of things—from towers to castles to cars and more. Julie Evans, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024 For the better part of two decades, Clinton has gripped the cultural imagination around the idea of a first female president. Amanda Hess, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 At a time when artificial intelligence has assumed overlord status in the popular imagination, Nigel is a reminder of the unknown limits of human performance and the mysteries of the human mind. Krista Stevens, Longreads, 20 Mar. 2024 The trailers—or, really, mini-films—that came from that period of incubation have slowly become legend among a devoted fan base eager for a new breed and look of Black imagination. Jason Parham, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024 The state of Palestine is already entrenched in the imagination of Palestinians and in their own legality. Raja Khalidi, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024 What places Clark in that tradition is not his formalism but rather his sonic imagination. Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 Children's bedrooms serve many purposes, from encouraging a good night's sleep to allowing creativity and imagination to flourish. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'imagination.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ymaginacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French ymaginacion, borrowed from Latin imāginātiōn-, imāginātiō, from imāginārī "to imagine" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of imagination was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near imagination

Cite this Entry

“Imagination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imagination. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

imagination

noun
imag·​i·​na·​tion im-ˌaj-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce imagination (audio)
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 How to pronounce imagination (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on imagination

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!