ionize

especially British, i·on·ise

[ahy-uh-nahyz]

verb (used with object)

ionized, ionizing 

1. to separate or change into ions.

2. to produce ions in.

verb (used without object)

ionized, ionizing 

1. to become changed into the form of ions, as by dissolving.

ionize

/ ˈaɪəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to change or become changed into ions

ionize

1. To give an atom or group of atoms a net electric charge by adding or removing one or more electrons.

2. To form ions in a substance. Lightning ionizes air, for example.

Other Word Forms

• ionizable adjective
• ionization noun
• ionizer noun
• nonionized adjective
• nonionizing adjective
• self-ionization noun
• unionized adjective
• ununionized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ionize¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; ion + -ize

Example Sentences

Dark stars have a smoking gun signature, an absorption feature at 1640 Angstrom, due to the large amounts of singly ionized helium in their atmospheres.

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Because of the strong magnetosphere of its host planet, the water on Enceladus is ionized and gets trapped within the Uranus magnetosphere.

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At these temperatures, the ionized hydrogen can strip oxygen even from solid ore.

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The more ionized particles in the spray, the more accurate the measurements will be.

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Tiny fluctuations in this early ionized plasma caused pressure waves, moving the baryons into a pattern of ripples that is similar to what you'd see if you tossed a handful of gravel into a pond.

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