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internalize

[in-tur-nl-ahyz]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR internalize ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), in·ter·nal·ized, in·ter·nal·iz·ing.

to incorporate (the cultural values, mores, motives, etc., of another or of a group), as through learning, socialization, or identification.
to make subjective or give a subjective character to.
Linguistics. to acquire (a linguistic rule, structure, etc.) as part of one's language competence.

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RELATED WORDS

personalize, embody, incarnate, incorporate, impute, attribute, manifest

Nearby words

  1. internal urethral opening,
  2. internal version,
  3. internal-combustion,
  4. internal-combustion engine,
  5. internalization,
  6. internally,
  7. internasal suture,
  8. internat.,
  9. international,
  10. international association of lions clubs
Also especially British, in·ter·nal·ise.

Origin of internalize

First recorded in 1940–45; internal + -ize
Related formsin·ter·nal·i·za·tion, nounqua·si-in·ter·nal·ized, adjectivesem·i-in·ter·nal·ized, adjectiveun·in·ter·nal·ized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for internalize

British Dictionary definitions for internalize

internalize

internalise

verb

(tr) psychol sociol to make internal, esp to incorporate within oneself (values, attitudes, etc) through learning or socializationAlso: interiorize Compare introject
Derived Formsinternalization or internalisation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for internalize

internalize

v.

1856, American English, from internal + -ize. Related: Internalized; internalizing.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for internalize

internalize

[ĭn-tûr′nə-līz′]

v.

To make internal, personal, or subjective.
To take in and adopt as an integral part of one's attitudes or beliefs.
Related formsin•ter′nal•i•za′tion (-nə-lĭ-zā′shən) n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.