ideation
Americannoun
Usage
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.
Etymology
Origin of ideation
Explanation
Ideation is the act of coming up with an idea, like when a cartoon light bulb appears above someone’s head. If you imagine a flying car and think of how to make it, that's ideation. It's a creative process. Ideation might sound new, but the word has been around since the 1800's. It looks like a blend of idea and creation, and it is — a brainstorming session is a type of ideation. In medical speak, ideation is "the forming of mental images." In this sense the word is often paired with suicidal — suicidal ideation refers to someone thinking about killing herself. Sadly, that’s the most common use of ideation.
Vocabulary lists containing ideation
The Ingenious Lexicon of Invention
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Finding Junie Kim
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
It's Kind of a Funny Story
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Black women have also historically reported suicidal ideation during the postpartum period at a rate roughly double that of white women.
From Salon • Apr. 21, 2026
A new survey from the Trevor Project found that between 2023 and 2025, LGBTQ+ youth reported an increase in anxiety, depression and suicide ideation.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025
A 2009 study in the American Journal of Public Health found that among immigrants who came from Mexico to the U.S. as teenagers, just 2.3% reported suicidal ideation, compared with 8.9% of their American-born peers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025
Under Senate Bill 243, the operator of these platforms would also report the number of times a companion chatbot brought up suicide ideation or actions with a user, along with other requirements.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2025
If it be present, the ideation and explicit judgment may be dispensed with.
From The Value of Money by Anderson, Benjamin M.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
