# ideation

/ˌaɪdiˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /aɪdˈiəʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ideation
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

the process of thinking up new ideas, especially when you brainstorm with other people at work.

For teachers: generation of new ideas, especially through structured brainstorming or creative problem-solving in business and design contexts.

## Examples

- Our team uses ideation to find fresh ideas.
- During the workshop, the marketing team focuses on ideation before choosing one campaign to develop.
- Effective ideation balances wild creativity with practical limits, encouraging teams to generate many options before judging which ideas deserve further investment.

## Synonyms

brainstorming

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.