polarity

noun

po·​lar·​i·​ty pō-ˈler-ə-tē 

pə-, 

-ˈla-rə-

plural polarities

1

: the quality or condition inherent in a body that exhibits opposite properties or powers in opposite parts or directions or that exhibits contrasted properties or powers in contrasted parts or directions : the condition of having poles

2

: attraction toward a particular object or in a specific direction

3

: the particular state either positive or negative with reference to the two poles or to electrification

4

a

: diametrical opposition

b

: an instance of such opposition

Synonyms of polarity

• opposition
• oppositeness

Examples of polarity in a Sentence

the polarity of the candidates' views on the issue means that the voters have a clear choice to make

Recent Examples on the Web

One bolt reached an extraordinary -303 kilo-ampères (the minus sign indicates the lightning's polarity, not that the current was less than zero), producing an intense electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that lit up the ionosphere. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 25 Nov. 2025

Bigger sunspots are more prone to activity, as are those with a complex mess of interwoven positive and negative polarities. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 19 Nov. 2025

These sort of events on the sun fluctuate on a cyclical basis, based on the sun's magnetic polarity, which flips about every year, Dahl said. —Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 13 Nov. 2025

This is not a purely academic debate: polarity is a description of the distribution of power in the international system rather than something states get to choose. —Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing polarity

• polarity therapy

Rhymes for polarity

• alterity
• asperity
• austerity
• celerity
• dexterity
• disparity
• hilarity
• molarity
• planarity
• posterity
• prosperity
• severity

Kids Definition

polarity

noun

po·​lar·​i·​ty pō-ˈlar-ət-ē 

pə-

plural polarities

1

: the condition of having poles and especially magnetic or electrical poles

2

: attraction toward a particular object or in a specific direction

Medical Definition

polarity

noun

po·​lar·​i·​ty pō-ˈlar-ət-ē, pə- 

plural polarities

1

: the quality or condition inherent in a body that exhibits contrasting properties or powers in contrasting parts or directions

2

: attraction toward a particular object or in a specific direction

3

: the particular state either positive or negative with reference to the two poles or to electrification