quantization

American  

[kwahnt-ahy-zay-shuhn, -uh-zay-shuhn] / ˌkwɑnt aɪˈzeɪ ʃən, -əˈzeɪ ʃən /

noun

quantizations plural

1. Mathematics. the restriction of a variable quantity to discrete values rather than to a continuous set of values.

2. Physics. the process of changing the description of a physical system from classical to quantum-mechanical, usually resulting in discrete values for observable quantities, such as energy or angular momentum.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• dequantization
  noun
• prequantization
  noun
• requantization
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• quantizations
  plural

Example Sentences

While high-dimensional vectors can be compressed through vector quantization, that technique comes with its own memory issues as it requires calculating and storing additional data, “partially defeating the purpose of vector quantization,” Google said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

The theory explained why electrons inside atoms occupy only certain allowed energy levels, a phenomenon known as quantization.

From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026

Small departures from perfect quantization could also be useful.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2026

This revolutionary idea looks similar to Planck’s quantization of energy states in blackbody oscillators, but it is quite different.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

This is exactly consistent with Planck’s quantization of energy levels in blackbody oscillators, since these oscillators increase and decrease their energy in steps of hf by absorbing and emitting photons having E = hf .

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015