WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
in•ter•nal•ize /ɪnˈtɜrnəˌlaɪz/USA pronunciation v. [~ + object], -ized, -iz•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to take in (something from outside, as culture or moral values) and make it one's own:She has internalized many of the values of her parents.
in•ter•nal•ize
(in tûr′nl īz′),USA pronunciation v.t., -ized, -iz•ing.
in•ter′nal•i•za′tion, n.
- to incorporate (the cultural values, mores, motives, etc., of another or of a group), as through learning, socialization, or identification.
- to make subjective or give a subjective character to.
- Linguisticsto acquire (a linguistic rule, structure, etc.) as part of one's language competence.
- internal + -ize 1940–45
'internalization' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):