ideation
noun
ide·a·tion
ˌī-dē-ˈā-shən 
: 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
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
Chase DiFeliciantonioExamples of ideation in a Sentence
a product designer who went from ideation to creation quickly
Recent Examples on the Web
The first version is typically ideation, while the second and third versions are normally based on in-depth testing of usability and accessibility.
—Goran Paun, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Zoom out: The report documents Hale's extensive mental health issues and homicidal ideation.
—Adam Tamburin, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ideation
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.
Goran Paun, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Zoom out: The report documents Hale's extensive mental health issues and homicidal ideation.
—Adam Tamburin, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for ideation
Cite this Entry
“Ideation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideation. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ideation
noun
ide·a·tion
ˌīd-ē-ˈā-shən
: 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
R. Bianchi and L. Janin, Occupational MedicineThe 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
Tammy C. Pannells and Amy F. Claxton, Creativity Research JournalLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share