ionize

verb

ion·​ize ˈī-ə-ˌnīz 

ionized; ionizing

transitive verb

: to convert wholly or partly into ions

intransitive verb

: to become ionized

ionizable

ˈī-ə-ˌnī-zə-bəl 

adjective

ionizer

ˈī-ə-ˌnī-zər 

noun

Examples of ionize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Usually, this atmospheric layer reflects high-frequency radio waves, bouncing them from their source to their destination, but if the flare ionizes that layer, these waves become degraded, or are completely absorbed, leading to a radio blackout. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

While direct damage to DNA can be catastrophic, ionizing radiation can also cause damage in other ways. —Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 24 Oct. 2024

This disk whirls around at such a rapid pace that the material within it glows white-hot and ionizes, transforming into a dense plasma roiling with magnetic fields. —Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2024

Among other things, this can be used to heavily ionize materials, like the argon gas used here, generating intense X-rays. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ion + -ize, after German ionisiren (now ionisieren) or French ioniser

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

ionize

verb

ion·​ize ˈī-ə-ˌnīz 

ionized; ionizing

1

: to convert wholly or partly into ions

2

: to become ionized

ionizable

-ˌnī-zə-bəl 

adjective

ionization

ˌī-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

ionizer

ˈī-ə-ˌnī-zər 

noun

Medical Definition

ionize

verb

ion·​ize

variants or chiefly British ionise

ˈī-ə-ˌnīz 

ionized or chiefly British ionised; ionizing or chiefly British ionising

transitive verb

: to convert wholly or partly into ions

intransitive verb

: to become ionized

ionizable adjective

or chiefly British ionisable

-ˌnī-zə-bəl 

ionization noun

or chiefly British ionisation

ˌī-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən