polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized; polarizing; polarizes

transitive verb

1

: to cause to vibrate in a definite pattern

lenses that polarize light waves

2

: to give physical polarity to

3

: to break up into opposing factions or groupings

a campaign that polarized the electorate

4

: concentrate sense 1

recreate a cohesive rock community by polarizing … an amorphous, fragmented audience

—Ellen Willis

intransitive verb

: to become polarized

polarizability

ˌpō-lə-ˌrī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

polarized adjective

polarized sunglasses

a polarized political climate

Examples of polarize in a Sentence

The war has polarized the nation.

The current debate polarizes along lines of class and race.

Recent Examples on the Web

The rise of unpredictable AI demands immediate action: Global AI Governance: The United Nations—often a polarizing institution—is drafting international frameworks to regulate AI development, focusing on transparency, safety, and ethics. —Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Aspirations of extreme members of Netanyahu’s coalition to annex parts of Gaza and the West Bank, impose military rule in Gaza, or pursue a polarizing domestic agenda that weakens democratic institutions will severely hinder this progress. —Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024

The rubber shoes, which are about as polarizing as a shoe can get, have been having a recent fashion renaissance. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2024

Perhaps some senators are so intimidated by his radically polarizing views about gutting the agency and checking names off his enemies list that Patel may yet slide on through. —Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French polariser, from New Latin polaris polar

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized; polarizing

1

: to cause to vibrate (as light waves) in a definite pattern

2

: to give physical polarity to

3

: to break up into opposing groups

4

: to become polarized

polarization noun

Medical Definition

polarize

verb

po·​lar·​ize

variants also British polarise

ˈpō-lə-ˌrīz 

polarized also British polarised; polarizing also British polarising

transitive verb

1

: to cause (as light waves) to vibrate in a definite pattern

2

: to give physical polarity to

intransitive verb

: to become polarized