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Synonyms

realization

American  
[ree-uh-luh-zey-shuhn] / ˌri ə ləˈzeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the making or being made real of something imagined, planned, etc.

  2. the result of such a process.

    The new church was the realization of a ten-year dream.

  3. the act of realizing or the state of being realized.

  4. an instance or result of realizing.

  5. Music.

    1. the act of realizing a figured bass.

    2. a printed score of a realized figured bass.

Other Word Forms

  • nonrealization noun
  • prerealization noun

Etymology

Origin of realization

First recorded in 1605–15; from French réalisation; equivalent to realize + -ation

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.

“It’s just a natural execution of that realization for us.”

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

This realization led us to launch a national initiative at Georgetown University’s Center for Youth Justice to find, research, and recognize these burial grounds, and to honor the children buried there.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

But society’s realization that birds were a finite resource and worth saving makes for a hell of a story.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

This realization was apparently enough to drive both stocks and bonds lower Wednesday.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

With that realization, his night got even better.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

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.