crystallize

verb

crys·​tal·​lize ˈkri-stə-ˌlīz How to pronounce crystallize (audio)
variants or less commonly crystalize
crystallized; crystallizing

transitive verb

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
crystallizable
ˈkri-stə-ˌlī-zə-bəl How to pronounce crystallize (audio)
ˌkri-stə-ˈlī-
adjective
crystallization noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The star’s outer layers are shed, and all that’s left is a core of hot matter that cools down over billions of years and eventually crystallizes. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025 And to help watchmakers capitalize on that trend, suppliers have been developing some particularly showy materials and techniques, including a method to apply color without dimming the tiny gem particles called nanodiamonds, along with processes to crystallize precious metals. Anders Modig Davin, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025 Infantino’s support crystallized in early 2020, when Trump, in the final year of his first term as president, was faced with the United States Senate laying its ground rules for his initial impeachment trial. Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 The alchemical match between director and DP remains one of the defining collaborations of Lynch’s career, with Elmes crystallizing Lynch’s nightmarish and entirely sui generis vision of the American underbelly in all those films. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 18 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crystallize

Word History

Etymology

crystal entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crystallize was in 1600

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Crystallize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crystallize. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

crystallize

verb
crys·​tal·​lize ˈkris-tə-ˌlīz How to pronounce crystallize (audio)
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
crystallization noun

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

transitive verb

: to cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form
especially : to cause to form perfect or large crystals

intransitive verb

: to become crystallized
often used with out
the solid crystallized out
crystallizable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on crystallize

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