polarization

[poh-ler-uh-zey-shuhn]

noun

1. a sharp division, as of a population or group, into opposing factions.

2. Optics.,  a state, or the production of a state, in which rays of light or similar radiation exhibit different properties in different directions.

3. Electricity.

   1. the deposit of gases, produced during electrolysis, on the electrodes of a cell, increasing the resistance of the cell.

   2. a vector quantity indicating the electric dipole moment per unit of volume of a dielectric.

   3. the induction of polarity in a ferromagnetic substance.

4. the production or acquisition of polarity.

polarization

/ ˌpəʊləraɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. the condition of having or giving polarity

2. physics the process or phenomenon in which the waves of light or other electromagnetic radiation are restricted to certain directions of vibration, usually specified in terms of the electric field vector

polarization

1. A condition in which transverse waves vibrate consistently in a single plane, or along a circle or ellipse. Electromagnetic radiation such as light is composed of transverse waves and can be polarized. Certain kinds of light filters, including sunglasses that reduce glare, work by filtering out light that is polarized in one direction.

2. The displacement of positive and negative electric charge to opposite ends of a nuclear, atomic, molecular, or chemical system, especially by subjection to an electric field. Atoms and molecules have some inherent polarization.

3. An increased resistance to the flow of current in a voltaic cell, caused by chemical reactions at the electrodes. Polarization results in a reduction of the electric potential across the voltaic cell.

polarization

¹

1. The direction in which the electrical field of an electromagnetic wave points.

polarization

²

1. In politics, the grouping of opinions around two extremes: “As the debate continued, the union members were polarized into warring factions.”

Reflected light, such as the light that produces glare on a sunny day, is polarized so that the electrical field is parallel to the ground. Some sunglasses are designed to take advantage of this property by blocking out that particular polarization while allowing other light to come through.

Other Word Forms

• depolarization noun
• repolarization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of polarization¹

First recorded in 1805–15; polarize + -ation

Example Sentences

This consolidation would further cement the partisan media model driving deepening political polarization in the U.S., as public and local news media lose funding.

From Salon

Political violence has a disproportionate impact because even rare incidents can amplify fear, influence policy and deepen societal polarization.

From Salon

And that polarization, he said, is being exploited by extremist groups seeking to advance a certain message.

From Los Angeles Times

To me, the impulse to shut down the other side, combined with the “change my mind approach” to debate, has only exacerbated political polarization and entrenchment.

From Salon

But their effort arguably better highlights some Democrats’ rightward shift on immigration policy and inability to grapple with political polarization, which has all but killed bipartisanship.

From Salon

Related Words

• emission