ideation

noun

ide·​a·​tion ˌī-dē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce ideation (audio)
: 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 ideationChase DiFeliciantonio
see also suicidal ideation

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.
However, adoption varies—many organizations are still exploring AI's potential, while leaders are embedding it directly into ideation pipelines. Ludwig Melik, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 Areas like technology scouting and ideation—where large volumes of data must be analyzed and patterns identified—benefit significantly from AI’s ability to surface trends, highlight opportunities and connect disparate ideas. Ludwig Melik, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 All the studies show that transgender people and people with gender dysphoria are not more inherently subject to suicide or likely to have suicide ideation. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025 During the ideation phase of social media calendars, AI sparks innovative social media concepts, allowing teams to stay ahead of trends and adapt quickly to the ever-evolving digital chatter. Manuel MacHado, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Ideation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideation. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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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