ionize

verb

ion·​ize ˈī-ə-ˌnīz 

ionized; ionizing

transitive verb

: to convert wholly or partly into ions

intransitive verb

: to become ionized

ionizable

ˈī-ə-ˌnī-zə-bəl 

adjective

ionizer

ˈī-ə-ˌnī-zər 

noun

Examples of ionize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stellar energy hitting the disk can ionize the gas inside of it, blowing away the gas. —Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2025

At the same time, that vortex is carrying conductive aerosol particles, which ionize the air and produce even more turbulence. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 6 Feb. 2025

The presence of argon and neon atomic lines suggest that soft X-rays and extreme ultraviolet rays may be responsible for ionizing the disk. —Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2025

Theoretically, the danger of such a discharge grows as the antenna spends more time exposed to ionizing radiation. —IEEE Spectrum, 21 July 2021

Word History

Etymology

ion + -ize, after German ionisiren (now ionisieren) or French ioniser

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for ionize

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise

Kids Definition

ionize

verb

ion·​ize ˈī-ə-ˌnīz 

ionized; ionizing

1

: to convert wholly or partly into ions

2

: to become ionized

ionizable

-ˌnī-zə-bəl 

adjective

ionization

ˌī-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

ionizer

ˈī-ə-ˌnī-zər 

noun

Medical Definition

ionize

verb

ion·​ize

variants or chiefly British ionise

ˈī-ə-ˌnīz 

ionized or chiefly British ionised; ionizing or chiefly British ionising

transitive verb

: to convert wholly or partly into ions

intransitive verb

: to become ionized

ionizable adjective

or chiefly British ionisable

-ˌnī-zə-bəl 

ionization noun

or chiefly British ionisation

ˌī-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən