pho·to·sen·si·tize
ˌfō-tō-ˈsen(t)-sə-ˌtīz 
photosensitized; photosensitizing; photosensitizes
: to sensitize to the influence of radiant energy and especially light
photosensitizer
noun
pho·to·sensitizer
"+
: a substance (as a dye) capable of sensitizing a material (as photographic film or paper) to rays to which it is not normally sensitive
Examples of photosensitize in a Sentence
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Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 18 June 2018
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Verb
Its sap contains toxic chemicals known as photosensitizing furanocoumarins.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 18 June 2018
Cite this Entry
“Photosensitize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photosensitize. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
photosensitize
transitive verb
pho·to·sen·si·tize
-ˈsen(t)-sə-ˌtīz
variants
also British photosensitise
photosensitized also British photosensitised; photosensitizing also British photosensitising
: to make sensitive to the influence of radiant energy and especially light
photosensitizer
noun
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