crystallize

verb

crys·​tal·​lize ˈkri-stə-ˌlīz How to pronounce crystallize (audio)
variants or less commonly crystalize
crystallized; crystallizing

transitive verb

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
crystallizable
ˈkri-stə-ˌlī-zə-bəl How to pronounce crystallize (audio)
ˌkri-stə-ˈlī-
adjective
crystallization noun
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 The curious gesture seems to crystallize a core philosophical element in the genesis of Black cultural pride, for which Johnson was a shining artistic light. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Investors who panicked and sold off their holdings at the market bottom, influenced by recent steep declines, missed out on the subsequent recovery, crystallizing their losses. Dan Irvine, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Every night, 30 to 40 tons of pure water are chilled, blown into the freezing environment and crystallize into snow. Laura Manske, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 As the sun and Neptune harmonize, an ingenious idea is crystallizing. USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2024 That trip helped crystallize an emerging, if still loose, alignment among China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, all operating in opposition to the United States. Gerald F. Seib, Foreign Affairs, 9 Jan. 2024 If the animal had been treated with diclofenac in the days before its death, the tainted carrion would cause kidney failure in the vultures, followed by visceral gout, in which uric acid crystallizes across their organs. Meera Subramanian, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2024 The hope at the president’s reelection headquarters is that the effort — and the rapid narrowing of the Republican field — will crystallize the choice for voters in November, according to Biden campaign officials and allies, who discussed their approach on condition of anonymity. Josh Wingrove, Bloomberg.com, 23 Jan. 2024 No incident crystallized that threat more than the attack by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September on the Israeli delegation at its dormitory in the Olympic Village in Munich on Sept. 5, 1972. Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crystallize.' 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

crystal entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crystallize was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near crystallize

Cite this Entry

“Crystallize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crystallize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

crystallize

verb
crys·​tal·​lize ˈkris-tə-ˌlīz How to pronounce crystallize (audio)
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
crystallization noun

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

transitive verb

: to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form
especially : to cause to form perfect or large crystals

intransitive verb

: to become crystallized
often used with out
the solid crystallized out
crystallizable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on crystallize

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