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polymerization

American  
[puh-lim-er-uh-zay-shuhn, pol-uh-mer-] / pəˌlɪm ər əˈzeɪ ʃən, ˌpɒl ə mər- /

noun

Chemistry.
  1. the act or process of forming a polymer or polymeric compound.

  2. the combination of many like or unlike molecules to form a more complex product of higher molecular weight, with elimination of water, alcohol, or the like condensation polymerization, or without such elimination addition polymerization.

  3. the conversion of one compound into another by such a process.


polymerization British  
/ pəˌlɪməraɪˈzeɪʃən, ˌpɒlɪməraɪ- /

noun

  1. the act or process of forming a polymer or copolymer, esp a chemical reaction in which a polymer is formed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of polymerization

First recorded in 1875–80; polymerize + -ation


Vocabulary lists containing polymerization

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The process, called polymerization, is often carried out using strong and sometimes toxic chemicals, which limits the ability to scale up the process and use the technology in e.g. medicine.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 15, 2025

The formation process, known as polymerization, is often carried out with strong or toxic chemicals, which restricts both scaling and the safe use of the materials in areas such as medicine.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 15, 2025

This led to increased solubility of the intermediates and facilitated the synthesis of two-dimensional polymers with higher degree of polymerization and fewer defects, resulting in outstanding electrical conductivity after p-type doping.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 19, 2024

“They informed them that polymerization, they believed polymerization was not occurring, and there was no justification to do a vent and burn,” Homendy said.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 6, 2024

For water and alcohols this geometrical locus will be found on the other side of the border-curve, and the polymerization heat will be small, i.e. smaller than the latent heat.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7 "Columbus" to "Condottiere" by Various

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