realization
Americannoun
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the making or being made real of something imagined, planned, etc.
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the result of such a process.
The new church was the realization of a ten-year dream.
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the act of realizing or the state of being realized.
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an instance or result of realizing.
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Music.
Other Word Forms
- nonrealization noun
- prerealization noun
Etymology
Origin of realization
First recorded in 1605–15; from French réalisation; equivalent to realize + -ation
Explanation
A realization is the act of becoming completely aware of something. Many children who walk into a circus tent for the first time are struck with the realization that clowns are terrifying. A realization is a gradual or sudden understanding or comprehension of something. Another way to use the word realization is to mean the fulfillment of something that was previously only imagined, like the realization of your dream of becoming a pastry chef, or the realization on stage of the play you scribbled on napkins and scraps of paper. Realization grew out of the French réaliser, "to make real."
Vocabulary lists containing realization
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
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Lesson 9
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Camp Panda
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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.
The dawning realization that the problems these men face aren’t failures at being men.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
Having not ventured into the festival when he was there, Bose was impressed by the realization that “whoever’s doing their art definitely goes to Burning Man.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
“We are proud to join this team with a view to establish Europe’s first rare earth oxide and metal-making platform, which will accelerate the realization of a secure, sustainable transatlantic rare earth value chain.”
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 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 then realization dawned on her face, too.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
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.
