vectorize

V4E1C3T1O1R1I1Z10E1
/ˈvɛktəɹaɪz/

verb

To convert an image into a vector graphics format.

RareScrabble 23

Meanings

verbvectorize (third-person singular simple present vectorizes, present participle vectorizing, simple past and past participle vectorized)

present singular third person vectorizes · participle present vectorizing · participle past vectorized · past vectorized · alternative vectorise

  1. transitivecomputer graphicsTo convert an image into a vector graphics format.

    The raster and vectorized images are displayed on a graphic monitor where the vector data is an active layer and the raster image is a background layer.

    1997, Sergey Ablameyko, An Introduction to Interpretation of Graphic Images, SPIE Press, →ISBN, page 147
  2. transitivecomputingTo convert a program that operates on scalar values into the equivalent program operating on vectors, usually as an optimization step inside the compiler (automatic vectorization).

    The principles on which the Cyber 200 FORTRAN compiler tries to detect which parts of a program can be vectorized are similar to those used in the Cray CFT compiler.

    1987, Ronald H. Perrott, Parallel Programming, Addison Wesley, →ISBN, page 157
  3. medicineTo lead selectively a drug to a target.

    […] peculiarities of the CNT structure can be used to vectorize drugs and other chemicals.

    2018, Shyam Mohapatra et al., editors, Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Elsevier, →ISBN, page 475

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*weǵʰ-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*wéǵʰeti
  3. Proto-Italic*weɣō
  4. Latinvehō
  5. Latinvector
  6. Englishvector
  7. Englishvectorize

From vector + -ize.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish vektoroida, vektoroida
  • vektoroidato convert an image into a vector graphics format
  • vektoroidato convert a program to operate on vectors
French vectoriser
  • vectoriserto convert an image into a vector graphics format
German vektorisieren
  • vektorisierento convert an image into a vector graphics format
Italian vettorizzare
  • vettorizzareto convert an image into a vector graphics format
Portuguese rastrear, vetorizar
  • rastrearto convert an image into a vector graphics format
  • vetorizarto convert an image into a vector graphics format
Spanish vectorizar
  • vectorizarto convert an image into a vector graphics format
Swedish vektorisera
  • vektoriserato convert an image into a vector graphics format
Welsh fectoru, fectoru
  • fectoruto convert an image into a vector graphics format
  • fectoruto convert a program to operate on vectors
Cite this entry
APA

vectorize. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/vectorize

MLA

“vectorize.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/vectorize. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “vectorize,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/vectorize.

Source: vectorize on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.