idea: Meaning and Definition of

i•de•a

1. any conception existing in the mind as a result of mental understanding, awareness, or activity.
2. a thought, conception, or notion: That is an excellent idea.
3. an impression: He gave me a general idea of how he plans to run the department.
4. an opinion, view, or belief: His ideas on raising children are certainly strange.
5. a plan of action; an intention: the idea of becoming an engineer.
6. a groundless supposition; fantasy.
1. a concept developed by the mind.
2. a conception of what is desirable or ought to be; ideal.
3. (cap.)Platonism.Also calledform.an archetype or pattern of which the individual objects in any natural class are imperfect copies and from which they derive their being.
4. Kantianism.Seeidea of pure reason.
8. a theme, phrase, or figure.
1. a likeness.
2. a mental image.