polarize

American  

[poh-luh-rahyz] / ˈpoʊ ləˌraɪz /

especially British, polarise

verb (used with object)

polarized, polarizing

1. to cause polarization in.

2. to divide into sharply opposing factions, political groups, etc..

   The controversy has polarized voters into proabortion and antiabortion groups.

3. to give polarity to.

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verb (used without object)

polarized, polarizing

1. to become polarized.

polarize British  

/ ˈpəʊləˌraɪz /

verb

1. to acquire or cause to acquire polarity

2. to acquire or cause to acquire polarization

   to polarize light

3. to cause people to adopt extreme opposing positions

   to polarize opinion

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polarize Scientific  

/ pō′lə-rīz′ /

1. To separate or accumulate positive and negative electric charges in two distinct regions. Polarized objects have an electric dipole moment and will undergo torque when placed in an external electric field.

2. To magnetize a substance so that it has the properties of a magnetic dipole, such as having a north and south pole.

3. To cause the electrical and magnetic fields associated with electromagnetic waves, especially light, to vibrate in a particular direction or path. The transverse electric and magnetic waves always vibrate at right angles to each other, but in ordinary unpolarized light sources, the direction of polarization of each wave is randomly distributed. Light can be polarized by reflection, and by passing through certain materials.

4. See more at polarization

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Other Word Forms

• depolarize verb (used with object)
• nonpolarizable adjective
• polarizability noun
• polarizable adjective
• repolarize verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of polarize

First recorded in 1805–15; polar + -ize

Example Sentences

There’s a similar problem with respect to statistics on racially polarized voting, and those numbers also change every election.

From The Wall Street Journal

Seattle began its season with a polarizing quarterback hire and ugly 60-1 odds to make it to the glamorous final game.

From The Wall Street Journal

Honnold has also, at times, been a somewhat polarizing figure in the climbing world, with some criticizing his decision to forego ropes and other protective equipment.

From Los Angeles Times

In our increasingly polarized society, Kasselman said she’s excited to facilitate an experience in which people can have positive interactions with strangers from different backgrounds.

From Los Angeles Times

But they polarized fans, and some were beset by creative problems behind the scenes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• part
• separate