contextualize

American  

[kuhn-teks-choo-uh-lahyz] / kənˈtɛks tʃu əˌlaɪz /

especially British, contextualise

verb (used with object)

contextualized, contextualizing

1. to put (a linguistic element, an action, etc.) in a context, especially one that is characteristic or appropriate, as for purposes of study.

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contextualize British  

/ kənˈtɛkstjʊəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to state the social, grammatical, or other context of; put into context

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Other Word Forms

• contextualization noun
• noncontextualized adjective

Etymology

Origin of contextualize

First recorded in 1930–35; contextual + -ize

Example Sentences

He also sought to contextualize it in the context of the broader chip rout that’s gripped markets in recent years.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

Mr. Russell helps readers contextualize James’s reputation, which has been pickled in generations of macho nonsense.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Comparing car prices to income can help contextualize how price changes impact families.

From Barron's • Dec. 4, 2025

Yang received the Vantage Award, “honoring an artist or scholar who has helped to contextualize and challenge dominant narratives around cinema.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2025

For years I'd wanted to implement a project to change the way we talk about racial history and contextualize contemporary race issues.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson