ideation

noun

ide·​a·​tion ˌī-dē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce ideation (audio)
Synonyms of ideation
: the capacity for or the act of forming or entertaining ideas
Local coaches and mentors guide student teams through the process of ideation, market research, and business plan development …—Maryann Mills
… the new space offers a smorgasbord of work environments—cozy two-chair-and-a-screen setups for small Zoom gatherings, … and floor-to-ceiling whiteboards in some places for spontaneous ideation …—Chase DiFeliciantonio
see also suicidal ideation

Synonyms of ideation

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Examples of ideation in a Sentence

a product designer who went from ideation to creation quickly
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Manufacturers then work on product ideation, which could take four to five months for a year-long project. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Proper was taken to a hospital, the complaint said, where law enforcement submitted an application for an emergency admission based on his homicidal ideations. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026 The affidavit states that Proper was transported to a local hospital for emergency admission based on what investigators described as homicidal ideation. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026 Gabriel Leblanc-Picard, co-founder of Upload Strategy and the former head of ideation for MrBeast, said simplicity is the most reliable formula for success on the platform. — Alex Sherman,zach Vallese, CNBC, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ideation

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ideation was in 1805

Phrases Containing ideation

Rhymes for ideation

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Browse Nearby Words

ideate
ideation
ideational
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Cite this Entry

“Ideation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

ideation

noun
ide·​a·​tion ˌīd-ē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce ideation (audio)
: the capacity for or the act of forming or entertaining ideas
The spectrum of paranoid ideation goes from mild distrust and suspiciousness to full-blown persecutory delusions.—R. Bianchi and L. Janin, Occupational Medicine
The cognitive ability to generate many creative ideas, or creative ideation, is one facet of creativity.—Tammy C. Pannells and Amy F. Claxton, Creativity Research Journal
see also suicidal ideation
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