polarization

noun

po·​lar·​i·​za·​tion ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce polarization (audio)
plural polarizations
1
: 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
2
: 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

Examples of polarization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Much of the internet now disagrees on basic facts, a phenomenon exacerbated by intensifying political polarization, distrust of institutions such as news and academia as well as the rise of artificial intelligence and other technologies that can warp people’s perception of truth. Tiffany Hsu, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 But four years on, the remote-work revolution has had some unexpected effects—and one of them is a polarization in where bosses and frontline workers live. Irina Ivanova, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 The campaign seems crafted to stoke outrage and polarization before the 2024 election for the White House, and experts who study Russian disinformation say Americans can expect more to come as Mr. Putin looks to weaken support for Ukraine and cut off a vital supply of aid. David Klepper, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2024 The campaign seems crafted to stoke outrage and polarization before the 2024 election for the White House, and experts who study Russian disinformation say Americans can expect more to come as Putin looks to weaken support for Ukraine and cut off a vital supply of aid. David Klepper, Quartz, 1 Mar. 2024 There are several pitfalls that can occur from the overuse of anger and fear in marketing, such as negative emotional valence in your customer base, bad brand reputation, loss of brand trust and polarization. Leslie Poston, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 But experts and former U.S. officials said Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, the country's deepening political polarization and sharp cuts in disinformation and election integrity teams at X and other platforms provide fertile ground to spread confusion, division and chaos. Kevin Collier, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2024 There’s an additional risk in attributing the complex social forces stoking polarization and conflict around the world to disinformation, according to Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, the director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University. Joel Simon, The New Yorker, 12 Feb. 2024 But in a time of high political polarization, that decision left her with no real constituency. The Editors, National Review, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polarization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of polarization was in 1812

Dictionary Entries Near polarization

Cite this Entry

“Polarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polarization. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

polarization

noun
po·​lar·​iza·​tion
variants also British polarisation
: 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

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