Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for polymerization. Search instead for oligomerization.

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:

Any portion of the solution that does not undergo polymerization can be washed away, leaving the finished electrodes behind.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 15, 2025

Additionally, the researchers demonstrated overprinting of a ball lens onto an optical fiber, which was previously only possible using an additive manufacturing technique known as two-photon polymerization.

From Science Daily ● May 9, 2024

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

They have not yet discovered in all cases how to undo the process of polymerization, or, if you prefer the financial phrase, how to unscramble the eggs.

From Creative Chemistry Descriptive of Recent Achievements in the Chemical Industries by Edwin E. Slosson

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training