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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

 In the process of displaying the redemptive power of factual knowledge, however, the movie flattens and tames the power of imagination. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "The Mild Horror of “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”," 12 Aug. 2019 What may seem like a failure of imagination may actually be a failure of application, at least right now. — Lauren Goode, WIRED, "Touchless Gesture Controls on Phones? Think Bigger," 12 Aug. 2019 There has also been a failure of imagination among some of our black youth. — John Blake, CNN, "What both the left and the right get wrong about my neighborhood in Baltimore," 3 Aug. 2019 Tanner Morgan stood in front of a green screen and was told to use his imagination. — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, "Good friends, fierce competitors: Morgan, Annexstad each wants to be Gophers’ starting QB," 2 Aug. 2019 Such a wide range of expertise, combined with his commitment to his creation, appears to preclude the possibility of dishonesty, laxity or a lack of imagination lying at the root of CCD’s poor results. — Girish Shahane, Quartz India, "Why Café Coffee Day’s immense popularity didn’t translate into big profits," 1 Aug. 2019 Prince was a champion of imagination in the theater and tried never to rely on technology to give his shows pop, preferring canvas to LEDs. — Mark Kennedy, azcentral, "Harold Prince, Broadway legend who steered groundbreaking shows like 'Evita,' has died," 31 July 2019 The instruments of trade and finance are inventions, in the same way that creations of art and discoveries of science are inventions—products of the human imagination. — Adam Lashinsky, Fortune, "Why Jeff Williams May Not Be the Next Apple CEO—Data Sheet," 30 July 2019 And the power of imagination had been put into rooms that could generate holograms of any environment. — Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, "Technology and Mankind’s Shrinking Dominion," 19 July 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 imāginātiōn-, imāginātiō, from imāginārī "to imagine" + -tiōn-, -tiō, 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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