depolarization
noun
de·po·lar·i·za·tion
(ˌ)dē-ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən 
1
: the process of depolarizing something or the state of being depolarized
2
physiology
: loss of the difference in charge between the inside and outside of the plasma membrane of a muscle or nerve cell due to a change in permeability and migration of sodium ions to the interior
… partial depolarization of the ventricular tissue resulting from rapid conduction of the electrical impulse from the atrium to the ventricle …—
Mark S. Link
Mark S. LinkExamples of depolarization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Developments in the depolarization group Braver Angels offer ways to spread them.
—Harry Boyte, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
But right now, given the dark passions that have been unleashed within MAGA and the leader of the movement, who stokes those passions several times each day, the chances of large-scale depolarization are vanishingly small.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
My hope is for the depolarization of America in 2026.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
In a phenomenon known as electrical depolarization, an abnormal flux of ions triggers neurons to fire, moving up from the brain stem and into regions including the cortex.
—Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
So just membrane depolarization is sufficient to promote the growth of the cancer.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2025
In cases where no party affiliation was given, the depolarization was smaller (0.15 standard deviations).
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 21 Aug. 2023
Trusted information is one of five bipartisan pillars More Perfect is built upon, joining civics education, national service, depolarization, and reliable elections.
—Tucker Eskew, Fortune, 19 July 2023
In any case, far from hastening fatigue, lactate accumulation in the muscles actually delays fatigue by mitigating the effects of a phenomenon known as depolarization.
—Matt Fitzgerald, Outside Online, 24 Jan. 2014
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Harry Boyte, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
But right now, given the dark passions that have been unleashed within MAGA and the leader of the movement, who stokes those passions several times each day, the chances of large-scale depolarization are vanishingly small.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
My hope is for the depolarization of America in 2026.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
In a phenomenon known as electrical depolarization, an abnormal flux of ions triggers neurons to fire, moving up from the brain stem and into regions including the cortex.
—Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025
So just membrane depolarization is sufficient to promote the growth of the cancer.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2025
In cases where no party affiliation was given, the depolarization was smaller (0.15 standard deviations).
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 21 Aug. 2023
Trusted information is one of five bipartisan pillars More Perfect is built upon, joining civics education, national service, depolarization, and reliable elections.
—Tucker Eskew, Fortune, 19 July 2023
In any case, far from hastening fatigue, lactate accumulation in the muscles actually delays fatigue by mitigating the effects of a phenomenon known as depolarization.
—Matt Fitzgerald, Outside Online, 24 Jan. 2014
Cite this Entry
“Depolarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depolarization. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
depolarization
noun
de·po·lar·iza·tion
variants
or British depolarisation
: loss of polarization
especially
: loss of the difference in charge between the inside and outside of the plasma membrane of a muscle or nerve cell due to a change in permeability and migration of sodium ions to the interior
… partial depolarization of the ventricular tissue resulting from rapid conduction of the electrical impulse from the atrium to the ventricle … —Mark S. Link, The New England Journal of Medicine
Mark S. Link, The New England Journal of Medicine Love words? Need even more definitions?
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