polymerisation
|pol-y-mer-i-sa-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌpɑːləməraɪˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌpɒlɪməraɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
joining many small units into long chains
Etymology
'polymerisation' originates from Greek via New Latin and French, specifically the elements 'poly-' (from Greek 'polús') meaning 'many' and 'mer' (from Greek 'méros') meaning 'part', combined with the suffix '-isation' (from French/Latin) meaning 'the process of making'.
'polymer' entered scientific English in the mid-19th century (from German 'Polymer'); the verb 'polymerize'/'polymerise' was formed from that noun, and the noun 'polymerisation' developed by adding the suffix '-ation'/'-isation' to the verb.
Initially related mainly to substances composed of many repeating units (polymers); over time the term has come to be used specifically for the chemical process of forming those substances ('the act of making polymers').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the chemical process by which small molecules (monomers) chemically join together to form a large molecule or network called a polymer.
The polymerisation of ethylene produces polyethylene used in many plastics.
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Noun 2
the industrial or laboratory procedure/step in which monomers are converted into polymers (often referring to conditions, catalysts, or techniques used).
Quality control monitors the polymerisation step to ensure consistent polymer properties.
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Last updated: 2025/11/21 19:33