individuation
noun
in·di·vid·u·a·tion
ˌin-də-ˌvi-jə-ˈwā-shən 
1
: the act or process of individuating: such as
a(1)
: the development of the individual from the universal
(2)
: the determination of the individual in the general
b
: the process by which individuals in society become differentiated from one another
c
psychology
: the process in the analytical psychology of Carl Gustav Jung by which the self is formed by integrating elements of the conscious and unconscious mind
d
embryology
: regional differentiation along a primary embryonic axis
2
: the state of being individuated
specifically
: individuality
Examples of individuation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Vocation: Your Soul's Nonnegotiable Carl Jung believed vocation emerges from individuation—our lifelong journey toward psychological wholeness.
—
Brittney Van Matre, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Shame is then a natural part of individuation as well as a by-product of our cultural backgrounds and upbringings.
—Melissa Petro, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024
Modern storytelling has different priorities: interiority, reflexivity, individuation, and so forth.
—Nan Z. Da, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2024
There is a surprising amount of individuation to be conjured from this tight handful of ingredients.
—Tim Carman, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for individuation
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Brittney Van Matre, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Shame is then a natural part of individuation as well as a by-product of our cultural backgrounds and upbringings.
—Melissa Petro, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024
Modern storytelling has different priorities: interiority, reflexivity, individuation, and so forth.
—Nan Z. Da, Vulture, 3 Apr. 2024
There is a surprising amount of individuation to be conjured from this tight handful of ingredients.
—Tim Carman, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for individuation
Cite this Entry
“Individuation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/individuation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
individuation
noun
in·di·vid·u·a·tion
-ˌvij-ə-ˈwā-shən
1
: the process in the analytical psychology of C. G. Jung by which the self is formed by integrating elements of the conscious and unconscious mind
2
: regional differentiation along a primary embryonic axis
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