polarization
noun
po·lar·i·za·tion
| \ ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən
\
\
Definition of polarization
1
: the action of polarizing or state of being or becoming polarized: such as
a(1)
: the action or process of affecting radiation and especially light so that the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form
(2)
: the state of radiation affected by this process
b
: an increase in the resistance of an electrolytic cell often caused by the deposition of gas on one or both electrodes
c
: magnetization
2a
: division into two opposites
b
: concentration about opposing extremes of groups or interests formerly ranged on a continuum
Examples of polarization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At a time when rampant discord and polarization splinter communities, University School is working to build stronger bridges to the mother city. — Phillip Morris, cleveland.com, "University School builds bridges to Cleveland with teachers: Phillip Morris," 28 July 2019 Quiet climate policy depends on understanding not only that a challenge exists but also that panic is counterproductive and polarization should be shunned. — David French, National Review, "Against Climate Panic, for Climate Hope," 25 July 2019 Qubits can be encoded, for example, in the polarization states of a photon or in the spin states of electrons and atomic nuclei. — Anil Ananthaswamy, Scientific American, "The Quantum Internet Is Emerging, One Experiment at a Time," 19 June 2019 Advisers believe that, in an age of extreme polarization, many Trump backers view their support for the president as part of their identity, one not easily shaken. — Michael Schneider, The Denver Post, "Trump, in 2020 campaign mode, calls Democrats “radical”," 19 June 2019 The Economist: How similar is Europe’s interwar period of dark ideologies with today’s politics of polarization, fake-news and populism? — K.n.c., The Economist, "The radical politics of futurists and fascists—and us, here, today," 19 July 2019 Advisers believe that, in an age of extreme polarization, many Trump backers view their support for the president as part of their identity, one not easily shaken. — Michael Schneider, The Denver Post, "Trump, in 2020 campaign mode, calls Democrats “radical”," 19 June 2019 Advisers believe that, in an age of extreme polarization, many Trump backers view their support for the president as part of their identity, one not easily shaken. — Anchorage Daily News, "Trump rehashes gripes, rips ‘radical’ Dems in 2020 launch," 19 June 2019 Advisers believe that, in an age of extreme polarization, many Trump backers view their support for the president as part of their identity, one not easily shaken. — Michael Schneider, Twin Cities, "Trump rehashes gripes, rips ‘radical’ Dems in 2020 launch," 18 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polarization.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for polarization
polarization
noun
po·lar·iza·tion
variants:
also British polarisation \ ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən
\
\
Medical Definition of polarization
: the action of polarizing or state of being or becoming polarized: as
a(1)
: the action or process of affecting radiation and especially light so that the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form
(2)
: the state of radiation affected by this process
b
: an increase in the resistance of an electrolytic cell caused by the deposition of gas on one or both electrodes
c
: magnetization