polarization

noun

po·​lar·​i·​za·​tion ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

plural polarizations

1

: division into two sharply distinct opposites

especially : a state in which the opinions, beliefs, or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremes

political polarization

… the relationship between partisan polarization and legislative gridlock is direct, with stalemate more frequent as the political center shrinks.

—Sarah A. Binder

The drift in our society now is not toward a grouping around the middle, but toward polarization.

—Richard Todd

… the venue where our most fractious … arguments over identity occur: the internet. These arguments do not play out on a democratized playing field where all identities are weighted equally; rather, they play out in a meticulously crafted environment where identities are microtargeted and polarization is amplified by algorithms.

—Emma Levy

2

: the action of polarizing or state of being or becoming polarized: such as

a(1)

: the action or process of affecting radiation and especially light so that the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form

(2)

: the state of radiation affected by this process

b

: an increase in the resistance of an electrolytic cell often caused by the deposition of gas on one or both electrodes

c

: magnetization

Examples of polarization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mendoza warned that replicating Mamdani’s ideological platform could deepen polarization. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025

During a time of deep polarization and partisan division, the share of voters up for grabs may seem to be shrinking, but several pollsters who spoke with ABC News identified groups that could still tip 2026's consequential midterm elections. —Emily Chang, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025

Given today’s political polarization, achieving such majorities for even a bipartisan infrastructure plan seems impossible—let alone for the coronation of a man the amendment was written to prevent. —Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

Even as American political polarization has intensified over the last eight years, both Republicans and Democrats have agreed that an increasingly powerful Beijing poses an economic, technological, and security threat to Washington and its close allies. —Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing polarization

• plane of polarization

Rhymes for polarization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

polarization

noun

po·​lar·​iza·​tion

variants also British polarisation

ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

: the action of polarizing or state of being or becoming polarized: as

a(1)

: the action or process of affecting radiation and especially light so that the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form

(2)

: the state of radiation affected by this process

b

: an increase in the resistance of an electrolytic cell caused by the deposition of gas on one or both electrodes

c

: magnetization