polarization

noun

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

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

c

: magnetization

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

As political polarization has taken hold and Indiana has become more and more red, candidates running in primaries often try to cater to the most conservative, or most liberal, of their party wing. —Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Apr. 2024

And at a time when our own real-life polarization is at an all-time high, and politicians and extremist organizations routinely bandy about terms like secession and civil war, Garland’s picture serves as a stark warning to everyone. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024

Political polarization runs so deep in South Korea that many voters either want Mr. Yoon impeached or Mr. Lee imprisoned. —Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024

With small majorities comes more polarization, Hult said. —Sarah Beth Hensley, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024

His message is one of reconciliation, which could either be the key to a transition or fall on deaf ears amidst the polarization. —Elias Ferrer, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

The visible lines indicate the orientation of polarization, which is related to the magnetic field around the black hole. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 27 Mar. 2024

That’s part of what analysts at Raymond James call the perception gap, where political polarization can distort economic views. —Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024

That took a turn, however, as political polarization in the country increased around the 1990s and 2000's amid global wars and other issues, experts said. —Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing polarization

• plane of polarization

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