thermalize

verb

ther·​mal·​ize ˈthər-mə-ˌlīz How to pronounce thermalize (audio)
thermalized; thermalizing

transitive verb

: to change the effective speed of (a particle) to a thermal value
thermalize a neutron
thermalization noun

Examples of thermalize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Experts say universal scaling is also helping to address deep conceptual questions about how quantum systems are able to thermalize at all. Quanta Magazine, 1 Aug. 2019 The researchers assumed the system would quickly thermalize: The pattern of ground and excited states would settle almost immediately into a jumbled sequence. Quanta Magazine, 20 Mar. 2019

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

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thermalize was in 1948

Dictionary Entries Near thermalize

Cite this Entry

“Thermalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thermalize. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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