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View synonyms for ideation

ideation

[ ahy-dee-ey-shuhn ]

noun

  1. the process of forming ideas or images.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of ideation1

First recorded in 1820–30; ideate + -ion
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Example Sentences

His loneliness “nearly killed him,” he said, acknowledging that he came close to acting on his suicidal ideation: “It was very touch and go at times.”

After One Direction's disbandment in 2016, Payne publically opened up about his struggles with loneliness, addiction and suicidal ideation while he was in the band.

From Salon

Bill went through a time of suicidal ideation, where he begged us to find him a gun.

From BBC

All this exposure led him to deal with mental health struggles that included suicide ideation.

From Salon

Allred, in the lawsuit, alleges the woman “had suicidal thoughts and ideation and has received extensive psychological treatment because of Defendants’ attack.”

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About This Word

What does ideation mean?

Ideation is the act or process of forming ideas or images in one’s mind.

Warning: This article involves discussion of the sensitive topic of suicide. If you or someone you know needs support, call the toll-free, 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. You can also text HOME to 741741 for free to get 24/7 support from the Crisis Text Line.

The term ideation is especially used in the context of psychology to refer to thought processes focusing on a particular action, as in phrases like suicidal ideation (suicidal thoughts) and violent ideation (thoughts about committing violence).

Sometimes, ideation is used to refer to the kind of brainstorming done in a business setting to generate new ideas.

Ideation is the noun form of the verb ideate, meaning to form ideas or to think.

Example: During meditation, you are encouraged to refrain from ideation of any kind—clear your mind of all thoughts.

Where does ideation come from?

The first records of ideation come from the 1800s. The verb ideate is recorded earlier, in the 1600s, and derives from the Latin verb ideare, from the Greek idea, meaning “model,” “pattern,” or “notion.” This is also where the word idea comes from.

Ideation can be another way to say thinking, but it’s usually used in a slightly more specific way. Ideation is idea creation—the formation of thoughts and mental images. It’s often used in the context of business development to refer to brainstorming for new products or business opportunities.

Ideation is also used in a more specific way in psychology. It’s especially used in the phrase suicidal ideation, which is a more technical way of saying suicidal thoughts—or, more precisely, the process of having suicidal thoughts.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to ideation?

What are some words that share a root or word element with ideation

 

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing ideation?

What are some words ideation may be commonly confused with?

How is ideation used in real life?

Ideation is most often used in the context of business and psychology. It’s a more technical way to refer to thinking or the thought process.

 

 

Try using ideation!

Is ideation used correctly in the following sentence? 

The goal of today’s session is just to focus on ideation—just come up with ideas and don’t worry about how to execute them.

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