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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.

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

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

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

“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

Similar considerations as to the formation and breaking up of the molecules in anabolism and catabolism apply to polymerization.

From The Mechanism of Life by Leduc, Stéphane