polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized; polarizing

transitive verb

1

: to cause to vibrate in a definite pattern

polarize light waves

2

: to give physical polarity to

3

: to break up into opposing factions or groupings

a campaign that polarized the electorate

4

: concentrate sense 1

recreate a cohesive rock community by polarizing … an amorphous, fragmented audience

—Ellen Willis

intransitive verb

: to become polarized

polarizability

ˌpō-lə-ˌrī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

Examples of polarize in a Sentence

The war has polarized the nation.

The current debate polarizes along lines of class and race.

Recent Examples on the Web

The presidential visit will offer a split-screen moment as former President Donald Trump is expected to have a campaign appearance Thursday upriver from Brownsville in Eagle Pass, which for months has been ground zero for the polarizing debate over immigration and border security. —John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024

But potentially choosing Emanuel, a polarizing figure in the Democratic party, has been panned by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and progressive groups. —Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024

After a polarizing presidential election cycle, many Americans are fantasizing about how to leave the U.S. and escape to another country. —Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Lake couldn’t compete financially with Gallego and remained a polarizing figure throughout her campaign. —Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 15 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French polariser, from New Latin polaris polar

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized; polarizing

1

: to cause to vibrate (as light waves) in a definite pattern

2

: to give physical polarity to

3

: to break up into opposing groups

4

: to become polarized

polarization noun

Medical Definition

polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize

variants also British polarise

ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized also British polarised; polarizing also British polarising

transitive verb

1

: to cause (as light waves) to vibrate in a definite pattern

2

: to give physical polarity to

intransitive verb

: to become polarized