crystallize
verb
crys·tal·lize
ˈkri-stə-ˌlīz 
variants
or less commonly crystalize
crystallized; crystallizing
1
: to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form
2
: to cause to take a definite form
tried to crystallize his thoughts
3
: to coat with crystals especially of sugar
crystallize grapes
: to become crystallized
crystallizer
noun
Examples of crystallize in a Sentence
Eventually the paint will start to crystallize.
Certain conditions can cause carbon to crystallize into diamonds.
Certain conditions can crystallize carbon into diamonds.
The final paragraph of the essay crystallizes her theory.
He tried to crystallize his thoughts.
Her theory crystallizes in the final paragraph of the essay.
Recent Examples on the Web
In recent days, Butler’s desire to make his way to the Phoenix Suns has been crystallized all around the league.
—
Sam Amick, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
By now, Playboi Carti’s coarse hiss has crystallized into the defining factor of this run, another breakthrough in his evolution of vocal gymnastics.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2025
In a nucleation event, a single-crystalline structure is formed, but as the process goes on, a second nucleation site will rapidly form, and then another, until the whole bulk of material becomes crystallized.
—Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025
Shocking events have crystallized the troubles of the people who live there.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crystallize 
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Sam Amick, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
By now, Playboi Carti’s coarse hiss has crystallized into the defining factor of this run, another breakthrough in his evolution of vocal gymnastics.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2025
In a nucleation event, a single-crystalline structure is formed, but as the process goes on, a second nucleation site will rapidly form, and then another, until the whole bulk of material becomes crystallized.
—Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025
Shocking events have crystallized the troubles of the people who live there.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crystallize
Dictionary Entries Near crystallize
Cite this Entry
“Crystallize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crystallize. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
crystallize
verb
crys·tal·lize
ˈkris-tə-ˌlīz
crystallized; crystallizing
1
a
: to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form
b
: to become crystallized
2
: to take or cause to take definite form
the plan crystallized slowly
Medical Definition
crystallize
verb
crys·tal·lize
variants
also crystalize
also British crystallise
or crystalise
crystallized also crystallized also British crystallised or crystallised; crystallizing also crystallizing also British crystallising or crystallising
: to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form
especially
: to cause to form perfect or large crystals
: to become crystallized
—often used with out
the solid crystallized out
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