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imagination

noun
imag·​i·​na·​tion | \ i-ˌma-jə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce imagination (audio) \

Definition of imagination

1 : the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality
2a : 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
3a : a creation of the mind especially : an idealized or poetic creation
b : fanciful or empty assumption
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about imagination

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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?
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Recent Examples on the Web

 And the fact that nothing is happening in terms of policy, and that decontamination standards STILL have not been updated, is dangerous beyond imagination. — Robert Zubrin, National Review, "‘Tardigrades on the Moon Is Not Good’," 31 Aug. 2019 Photographs of the new raft, still about 2,000 miles from the Great Barrier Reef, have grabbed people’s imaginations. — Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, "Don’t Believe the Hype: The Pumice Raft Won’t Save the Great Barrier Reef," 30 Aug. 2019 In this field, intimacy is a professional skill in terms of both air-kissy etiquette and, more important, in the sense that Jason uses empathetic imagination to put himself in a client’s skin. — Troy Patterson, The New Yorker, "Why “Styling Hollywood” Is One of the Best Celebrity-Stylist Reality Shows," 30 Aug. 2019 The raging fires in Brazil's Amazon rainforest have captured the public's imagination worldwide for the last few weeks and recently prompted the country to declare a state of emergency in the region. — Fox News, "Amazon fires: By the numbers," 27 Aug. 2019 The teaser sees Steinfeld showing off Dickinson’s wild imagination and party attitude, much to her parents’ disapproval. — Will Thorne, chicagotribune.com, "Apple drops ‘Dickinson’ teaser starring Hailee Steinfeld," 26 Aug. 2019 What sets David’s tale apart from others in this familiar genre is the vividness and complexity of the community that surrounds him, as well as the role imagination plays in his introspective life. — Judy Berman, Time, "The 6 Best New Shows of Summer 2019," 20 Aug. 2019 These incredible organisms certainly have grabbed my attention and imagination. — Cori Brown, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Cori Brown: Creepy beauty can be found in the woods," 17 Aug. 2019 The darkness of the story is tempered by a focus on imagination. — Deborah Fleck, Dallas News, "Watch for 'whimsy and weird sweetness' in Dallas run of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'," 15 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'imagination.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of imagination

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for imagination

Middle English ymaginacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French ymaginacion, borrowed from Latin imāginātiƍn-, imāginātiƍ, from imāginārÄ« "to imagine" + -tiƍn-, -tiƍ, suffix of verbal action

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More Definitions for imagination

imagination

noun
How to pronounce imagination (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of imagination

: the ability to imagine things that are not real : the ability to form a picture in your mind of something that you have not seen or experienced
: the ability to think of new things
: something that only exists or happens in your mind

See the full definition for imagination in the English Language Learners Dictionary

imagination

noun
imag·​i·​na·​tion | \ i-ˌma-jə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce imagination (audio) \

Kids Definition of imagination

1 : the act, process, or power of forming a mental picture of something not present and especially of something a person has not known or experienced Her imagination kept her entertained on the long ride.
2 : creative ability Her story shows great imagination.
3 : a creation of the mind Is it just my imagination or are we moving?

imagination

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

Medical Definition of imagination

: 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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More from Merriam-Webster on imagination

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with imagination

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for imagination

Spanish Central: Translation of imagination

Nglish: Translation of imagination for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of imagination for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about imagination

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