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

Synonyms

• center
• centralize
• compact
• concenter
• concentrate
• consolidate
• unify
• unite

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 Arab media, which had been badly fragmented and politically polarized during the previous decade’s intraregional political wars, has largely reunited in defense of Gaza. —Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2024

Beneath it, however, there’s still layer upon layer of glass, polarizes, color filters, capacitive touch sensors, and more. —IEEE Spectrum, 19 Apr. 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