polymerization
Americannoun
-
the act or process of forming a polymer or polymeric compound.
-
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.
-
the conversion of one compound into another by such a process.
noun
Etymology
Origin of polymerization
First recorded in 1875–80; polymerize + -ation
Vocabulary lists containing polymerization
Chemistry - High School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Organic Chemistry
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Biochemistry
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The formation process, known as polymerization, is often carried out with strong or toxic chemicals, which restricts both scaling and the safe use of the materials in areas such as medicine.
From Science Daily • Dec. 15, 2025
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
Another technique is to use polymer coatings, in a process known as graft polymerization.
From Science Daily • Jan. 25, 2024
On a hunch I dropped in an aluminum alkyl, and then pushed the polymerization along with both ultraviolet and heat.
From The Professional Approach by Schoenherr, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
