polarity

[ poh-lar-i-tee, puh- ]

/ poʊˈlær ɪ ti, pə- /

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noun

Physics.

the property or characteristic that produces unequal physical effects at different points in a body or system, as a magnet or storage battery.
the positive or negative state in which a body reacts to a magnetic, electric, or other field.

the presence or manifestation of two opposite or contrasting principles or tendencies.

Linguistics.

(of words, phrases, or sentences) positive or negative character.
polar opposition.

QUIZ

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"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

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Origin of polarity

First recorded in 1640–50; polar + -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM polarity

non·po·lar·i·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use polarity in a sentence

There was a lot of positive feedback from people interested in non-gender binary people.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She ultimately ditched JSwipe after about a week and found her current, non-Jewish, boyfriend on OkCupid.
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
An atheist counsels his fellow non-believers on how not to talk to people of faith.
The Case Against In-Your-Face Atheism|Steve Neumann|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The distinction between over-policing and non-responsiveness was alive and well in Bed-Stuy.
Ground Zero of the NYPD Slowdown|Batya Ungar-Sargon|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Last summer, Louisiana also banned non-legal adoption, with offenders facing a penalty of $5,000 and up to five years in prison.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking|Tina Traster|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The expatriated ex-rebels became alarmed by the non-receipt of the indemnity instalment and the news from their homes.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
He also states that the Audiencia is virtually non-existent, and so there is no high court in which justice may be sought.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
De moi, je ne say qu'en dire, d'autant que je ne veux affirmer ny le si ny le non en ce dont je n'ay vidence.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Certes le capitaine Merveilles et ses gens monstrerent leur pit non vulgaire.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
It teaches you to take your time, or as the Germans call it, it gives you "Ruhe (repose)," the grand sine qua non!
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay

British Dictionary definitions for polarity

polarity

/ (pəʊˈlærɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the condition of having poles

the condition of a body or system in which it has opposing physical properties at different points, esp magnetic poles or electric charge

the particular state of a part of a body or system that has polarityan electrode with positive polarity

the state of having or expressing two directly opposite tendencies, opinions, etc

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

Medical definitions for polarity

polarity

[ pō-lăr′ĭ-tē, pə- ]

The property of having two opposite poles, such as those possessed by a magnet, or of having opposite properties or characteristics.

The direction or orientation of positivity relative to negativity.

Scientific definitions for polarity

polarity

[ pō-lăr′ĭ-tē ]

The condition of having poles or being aligned with or directed toward poles, especially magnetic or electric poles.

polarity

Origin of polarity

OTHER WORDS FROM polarity

Words related to polarity

How to use polarity in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for polarity

Medical definitions for polarity

Scientific definitions for polarity