summarize

verb

sum·​ma·​rize ˈsə-mə-ˌrīz How to pronounce summarize (audio)
summarized; summarizing

transitive verb

: to tell in or reduce to a summary

intransitive verb

: to make a summary
summarizable adjective
summarizer noun

Examples of summarize in a Sentence

I would like to take a moment to summarize the facts that I presented earlier. He summarized by saying we needed better planning and implementation. To summarize, we need better schools.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Professionals across industries rely on these systems to draft emails, generate reports, summarize data, and even brainstorm ideas. Robert B. Tucker, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025 In a recent review paper, our team summarized how chronic stress is a hidden but powerful factor underlying cognitive aging, or the speed at which your cognitive performance slows down with age. Jennifer E. Graham-Engeland, The Conversation, 28 May 2025 This includes the Dialogue Agent, which allows both data teams and non-technical users to interact with structured data through natural language queries, and the Explanation Agent, which analyzes query results and provides clear, summarized insights. Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 27 May 2025 And the political theater that has taken place of simply ignoring the problem can only be summarized by the word despicable. / Cbs News, CBS News, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for summarize

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of summarize was in 1832

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Cite this Entry

“Summarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summarize. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

summarize

verb
sum·​ma·​rize ˈsəm-ə-ˌrīz How to pronounce summarize (audio)
summarized; summarizing
1
: to tell in or reduce to a summary
2
: to make a summary
summarizable adjective
summarizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on summarize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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