polarization

noun

po·​lar·​i·​za·​tion ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

plural polarizations

1

: division into two sharply distinct opposites

especially : a state in which the opinions, beliefs, or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremes

political polarization

… the relationship between partisan polarization and legislative gridlock is direct, with stalemate more frequent as the political center shrinks.

—Sarah A. Binder

The drift in our society now is not toward a grouping around the middle, but toward polarization.

—Richard Todd

… the venue where our most fractious … arguments over identity occur: the internet. These arguments do not play out on a democratized playing field where all identities are weighted equally; rather, they play out in a meticulously crafted environment where identities are microtargeted and polarization is amplified by algorithms.

—Emma Levy

2

: 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

Examples of polarization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The polarization system, extremely sensitive cameras and an extra-wide angle view will provide greater detail of the sun, its corona, and the winds that flow out from it. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025

That scattering process polarizes the light, and the degree of polarization tells us where the object was in three dimensions. —Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 5 Feb. 2025

While some see it as a lighthearted reflection of the current state of polarization in politics, others have taken serious offense and have been quick to criticize the creators of the videos, sometimes in highly personal terms. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

The first is that his barbed interventions could signal the full-scale arrival in Europe of the kind of online venom, misinformation, and conspiracy theories – and the angry polarization – that have poisoned American politics. —Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing polarization

• plane of polarization

Medical Definition

polarization

noun

po·​lar·​iza·​tion

variants also British polarisation

ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

: 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