ionic

1 of 3

adjective (1)

ion·​ic ī-ˈä-nik How to pronounce ionic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, existing as, or characterized by ions
ionic gases
the ionic charge
2
: based on or functioning by means of ions
ionic conduction
ionicity noun

Ionic

2 of 3

adjective (2)

Ion·​ic ī-ˈä-nik How to pronounce Ionic (audio)
1
: of or relating to the ancient Greek architectural order distinguished especially by fluted columns on bases and scroll volutes in its capitals see order illustration
2
: of or relating to Ionia or the Ionians

Ionic

3 of 3

noun

: a dialect of ancient Greek spoken especially in Ionia and the Cyclades

Examples of ionic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The team learned that the ionic solution of seawater allows the alloy to be collected and reused, and that adding imidazole, a compound in caffeine, speeds up the process from two hours to five minutes. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Sep. 2024 Ionic Technology: Brushes with ionic technology can help reduce frizz and static, providing a smoother finish by releasing negative ions that neutralize positive ions in the hair. Nikki Brown, StyleCaster, 12 Sep. 2024 What is the difference between an ionic hair dryer and a regular hair dryer? Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 9 Sep. 2024 Handsome Hutch Horsehair plaster swirls—the tops of ionic columns—are from Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke. Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Southern Living, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for ionic 

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

Adjective (1)

ion + -ic entry 1

Adjective (2)

Latin & Middle French; Middle French ionique, from Latin ionicus, from Greek iōnikos, from Iōnia Ionia

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1668, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ionic was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near ionic

Cite this Entry

“Ionic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ionic. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

ionic

1 of 2 adjective
ion·​ic ī-ˈän-ik How to pronounce ionic (audio)
: of, relating to, or existing in the form of ions

Ionic

2 of 2 adjective
Ion·​ic
ī-ˈän-ik
: belonging to or resembling a style of Greek architecture characterized especially by decoration resembling scrolls in the capitals of its columns

Medical Definition

ionic

adjective
ion·​ic ī-ˈän-ik How to pronounce ionic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, existing as, or characterized by ions
ionic gases
the ionic charge
2
: based on or functioning by means of ions
ionic conduction
ionically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on ionic

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