1 polymerization | Definition of polymerization
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polymerization

noun
po·​ly·​mer·​i·​za·​tion | \ pə-ˌli-mə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce polymerization (audio) , ˌpä-lə-mə-rə- How to pronounce polymerization (audio) \

Definition of polymerization

1 : a chemical reaction in which two or more molecules combine to form larger molecules that contain repeating structural units — compare association sense 5
2 : reduplication of parts in an organism

Examples of polymerization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Alkaline conditions are usually needed to realize the polymerization of dopamine, so it cannot be applied to materials that are unstable under alkaline conditions. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Mussels’ Sticky Threads Could Inspire Ways to Clean Up Oil Spills, Purify Water and More," 13 July 2019 Setting other work aside, Plunkett began testing the possibilities of polytetrafluoroethylene, eventually figuring out how to reproduce the polymerization process that had occurred accidentally the first time. — Tony Long, WIRED, "April 6, 1938: Teflon, an Invention That Sticks," 6 Apr. 2009

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polymerization.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of polymerization

1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for polymerization

International Scientific Vocabulary

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More Definitions for polymerization

polymerization

noun
po·​ly·​mer·​iza·​tion
variants: also British polymerisation \ pə-​ˌlim-​ə-​rə-​ˈzā-​shən How to pronounce polymerisation (audio) , ˌpäl-​ə-​mə-​rə-​ How to pronounce polymerisation (audio) \

Medical Definition of polymerization

1 : a chemical reaction in which two or more small molecules combine to form larger molecules that contain repeating structural units of the original molecules — compare association sense 4
2 : reduplication of parts in an organism

More from Merriam-Webster on polymerization

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polymerization

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