Definition of "conceptualize" [conceptualize]

• To form a concept or concepts of, and especially to interpret in a conceptual way: "Efforts to conceptualize the history and structure of the universe were already running into trouble because . . . the universe was not as uniform as had been assumed” ( John Noble Wilford). (verb-transitive)
• To form concepts. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Basically, the researchers decided at the end that they just need to "refine developmentally appropriate information with concrete instructions and role-plays" so that even the smallest children 5-7 years old will be able to "conceptualize" sexual abuse and accept that members of their own families might be abusers."
• "I kind of conceptualize it as being triggering of a shift in attention that is problematic."
• "The puzzle games challenge you dogs 'ability to conceptualize which is larger, smaller or different."