Realisationrealization

Realisationrealization is not a distinct technical term in its own right but a reference to the two closely related spellings of the same word: British English realisation and American English realization. Both forms share the same range of senses, centered on the act or process of realizing something or of bringing something into being.

The difference between the spellings is primarily regional orthography rather than meaning. Realisation is preferred in British, Irish, and many Commonwealth varieties, while realization is standard in American English. In cross-border writing or indexing, the combined form realisationrealization may appear as a way to signal both variants, though it is not a separate concept.

Core senses include:

- Realizing something in the sense of making it real or actual, such as realizing an idea or plan.

- The realization of assets or potential, including the idea of actualizing a concept into a concrete form.

- In finance and accounting, realization can refer to the recognition of revenue or gains when a transaction is completed or when an amount becomes realizable.

- In mathematics and logic, geometric or topological realization refers to representing an abstract object as a concrete space (for example, the geometric realization of a simplicial complex).

- In philosophy, psychology, and everyday language, self-realization or personal realization denotes the process of achieving one’s potential or authentic state.

Etymology traces both spellings to the same root from Old French realiser, ultimately from Latin realis. Both forms are widely understood and interchangeable in ordinary use, with the choice of spelling governed by regional or editorial conventions.