crystallize
verb
crys·tal·lize
ˈkri-stə-ˌlīz 
variants
or less commonly crystalize
crystallized; crystallizing
1
: to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form
2
: to cause to take a definite form
tried to crystallize his thoughts
3
: to coat with crystals especially of sugar
crystallize grapes
: to become crystallized
crystallizer
noun
Examples of crystallize in a Sentence
Eventually the paint will start to crystallize.
Certain conditions can cause carbon to crystallize into diamonds.
Certain conditions can crystallize carbon into diamonds.
The final paragraph of the essay crystallizes her theory.
He tried to crystallize his thoughts.
Her theory crystallizes in the final paragraph of the essay.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lunar zircon, like other minerals on the moon, was thought to have crystallized from extreme temperatures when the moon was created, but its much older age has long confounded scientists.
—
Denise Chow, NBC News, 18 Dec. 2024
The early curiosity provides a window into the overlap between parts of the left and right, whose views on excessive government spending, especially around the country’s military apparatus, have created unlikely alliances that could crystallize in the new Trump era.
—Hanna Trudo, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2024
Black Emperor—and Freedom, the record that crystallized McMahon’s songwriting and elevated Amen Dunes beyond its origins as a reliquary of underground curios.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 10 Dec. 2024
After that realization, the book completely crystallized in a matter of weeks.
—Kelsey Houston-Edwards, WIRED, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crystallize 
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Denise Chow, NBC News, 18 Dec. 2024
The early curiosity provides a window into the overlap between parts of the left and right, whose views on excessive government spending, especially around the country’s military apparatus, have created unlikely alliances that could crystallize in the new Trump era.
—Hanna Trudo, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2024
Black Emperor—and Freedom, the record that crystallized McMahon’s songwriting and elevated Amen Dunes beyond its origins as a reliquary of underground curios.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 10 Dec. 2024
After that realization, the book completely crystallized in a matter of weeks.
—Kelsey Houston-Edwards, WIRED, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crystallize
Dictionary Entries Near crystallize
Cite this Entry
“Crystallize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crystallize. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
crystallize
verb
crys·tal·lize
ˈkris-tə-ˌlīz
crystallized; crystallizing
1
a
: to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form
b
: to become crystallized
2
: to take or cause to take definite form
the plan crystallized slowly
Medical Definition
crystallize
verb
crys·tal·lize
variants
also crystalize
also British crystallise
or crystalise
crystallized also crystallized also British crystallised or crystallised; crystallizing also crystallizing also British crystallising or crystallising
: to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form
especially
: to cause to form perfect or large crystals
: to become crystallized
—often used with out
the solid crystallized out
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