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.
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 addition to demonstrating how electron irradiation drives polymerization and restructuring, the experiment revealed TEM's potential for studying controlled reactions in other organic molecules as well.
From Science Daily • Oct. 29, 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
For example, the integration of monomers and catalysts could enable polymerization at the site of damage, creating an integrated self-healing system within materials.
From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2024
One may easily understand what an important r�le is played by this alternate polymerization and disintegration in the phenomena of life.
From The Mechanism of Life by Leduc, Stéphane
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.
