ionize

verb

ion·​ize ˈī-ə-ˌnīz How to pronounce ionize (audio)
ionized; ionizing

transitive verb

: to convert wholly or partly into ions
ionizable adjective
ionizer noun

Examples of ionize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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 Studies show that common air pollutants can increase the risk of psychiatric disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, for example, and exposure to certain kinds of ionizing radiation has been shown to correlate with the onset of schizophrenia. Evan Malmgren, Harper's Magazine, 21 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ionize 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ionize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of ionize was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near ionize

Cite this Entry

“Ionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ionize. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ionize

verb
ion·​ize ˈī-ə-ˌnīz How to pronounce ionize (audio)
ionized; ionizing
1
: to convert wholly or partly into ions
2
: to become ionized
ionizable adjective
ionization noun
ionizer noun

Medical Definition

ionize

verb
ion·​ize
variants or chiefly British ionise
ionized or chiefly British ionised; ionizing or chiefly British ionising

transitive verb

: to convert wholly or partly into ions
ionizable adjective
or chiefly British ionisable
ionization noun
or chiefly British ionisation

More from Merriam-Webster on ionize

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