polymerization
Americannoun
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the act or process of forming a polymer or polymeric compound.
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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.
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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
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Organic Chemistry
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Biochemistry
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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.
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
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
In this study, the researchers synthesized PSPBs with different molecular weights and added varying amounts of hydrophobic monomers individually and with different alkyl chains through a process known as reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization.
From Science Daily ● May 30, 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
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.
