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polymerization

American  
[puh-lim-er-uh-zey-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  
/ ˌpɒlɪməraɪ-, pəˌlɪməraɪˈzeɪʃən /

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.

Researchers at Campus Norrköping, collaborating with colleagues in Lund and New Jersey, have developed a technique that allows polymerization to occur using only visible light.

From Science Daily • Dec. 15, 2025

By introducing steric hindrance from these pendant groups, the team successfully suppressed the stacking of two-dimensional polymer intermediates during the polymerization of triazacoronene monomers.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 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

But without actin polymerization they can't attach and the pathogen passes through and clears.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2024

For water and alcohols this geometrical locus will be found on the other side of the border-curve, and the polymerization heat will be small, i.e. smaller than the latent heat.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7 "Columbus" to "Condottiere" by Various

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