sensitization

noun

sen·​si·​ti·​za·​tion ˌsen(t)-sə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌsen(t)s-tə-ˈzā-

1

: the action or process of sensitizing

2

: the quality or state of being sensitized (as to an antigen)

Examples of sensitization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The anesthetic ketamine disrupts pain pathways that contribute to a condition called central sensitization. —Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024

That can happen even when there is no ongoing vaso-occlusion, says Darbari, who studies brain-activation patterns to better understand this sensitization process. —Emily Sohn, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024

The decision was due to the resin in the product, which can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation or sensitization if inhaled, touched, or ingested by people. —Solcyré Burga, TIME, 25 June 2024

This suggests that central sensitization might be behind the pain in some of these people, says study coauthor Nadine Attal, a pain specialist at the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris. —Amber Dance, Discover Magazine, 21 Jan. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

sensitization

noun

sen·​si·​ti·​za·​tion

variants also British sensitisation

ˌsen(t)-sət-ə-ˈzā-shən, ˌsen(t)-stə-ˈzā- 

1

: the action or process of making sensitive or hypersensitive

allergic sensitization of the skin

2

: the process of becoming sensitive or hypersensitive (as to an antigen)

also : the resulting state

3

: a form of nonassociative learning characterized by an increase in responsiveness upon repeated exposure to a stimulus compare habituation sense 3