ideation

/ˈaɪdiˌeɪʃən/

Other forms: ideations

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.

Definitions of ideation

1. noun

   the process of forming and relating ideas
   type of:

   cerebration, intellection, mentation, thinking, thought, thought process

   the process of using your mind to consider something carefully