polarization
|po-lar-i-za-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌpoʊləraɪˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌpəʊləraɪˈzeɪʃən/
making or becoming opposite poles / creating two opposite orientations
Etymology
'polarization' originates from English, specifically from the verb 'polarize' plus the suffix '-ation', where 'polarize' ultimately comes from French 'polariser' and from Latin 'polaris' (from Greek 'polos') meaning 'axis' or 'pole', and the suffix '-ize' meant 'to make'.
'polarization' changed from Greek 'polos' (meaning 'axis, pivot') to Latin 'polaris' (meaning 'of a pole'), then to French 'polariser' and English 'polarize', and eventually became the modern English noun 'polarization' by adding '-ation'.
Initially it referred to things relating to poles or to making something have poles ('to make polar'), but over time it broadened to include the orientation of waves and the social/political process of dividing into opposing camps.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process or state in which opinions, beliefs, or groups become divided into two sharply contrasting camps; the extent of that division (often used for politics or social contexts).
The growing polarization in the legislature made it difficult to pass compromise bills.
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Noun 2
in optics and wave physics, the orientation of the oscillations of a transverse wave, especially light (e.g., linear or circular polarization).
The polarization of the light was changed by passing it through the specialized filter.
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Noun 3
in electromagnetism and materials science, the separation or displacement of electric charge within a material that produces an electric dipole moment (electric polarization).
The polarization of the dielectric increases when an external electric field is applied.
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Last updated: 2025/09/09 19:41