polymerization

noun

po·​ly·​mer·​i·​za·​tion pə-ˌli-mə-rə-ˈzā-shən  ˌpä-lə-mə-rə- 

1

: a chemical reaction in which two or more molecules combine to form larger molecules that contain repeating structural units compare association sense 5

2

: reduplication of parts in an organism

Examples of polymerization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The facilities will house everything from pre-processing depolymerization to polymerization and PET-chip production. —Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019

The difference between gel extensions and acrylic nail tips comes down to the polymerization process, ease of removal, and the extension's density, says nail artist and gel extension specialist Brittney Boyce. —Olivia Muenter, Allure, 8 Jan. 2024

Eventually, a biotechnology manufacturer agreed to take on the project, using a process known as two-photon polymerization to create the bag out of resin. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2023

The gentle, but efficient formula removes food particles and stuck on grease without stripping away the polymerization on your grill or cast iron kitchen appliances. —Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2023

This process is called polymerization. —Julie Harans, Bon Appétit, 19 Jan. 2023

Without any of the enzymes that biochemistry provides, the production of peptides is an inefficient two-step process that involves first making amino acids and then removing water as the amino acids link up into chains in a process called polymerization. —Quanta Magazine, 8 Mar. 2022

Typically this involves a reaction known as polymerization, in which smaller molecules known as monomers react together to create long chains known as polymers. —IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2023

To get around this, Livingston and his colleagues turned to an industrial approach for making ultrathin water desalination membranes called interfacial polymerization. —Byrobert F. Service, science.org, 30 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

polymerization

noun

po·​ly·​mer·​i·​za·​tion pə-ˌlim-ə-rə-ˈzā-shən  ˌpäl-ə-mə-rə- 

: a chemical reaction in which two or more small molecules combine to form larger molecules

polymerize

pə-ˈlim-ə-ˌrīz

ˈpäl-ə-mə-

verb

Medical Definition

polymerization

noun

po·​ly·​mer·​iza·​tion

variants also British polymerisation

pə-ˌlim-ə-rə-ˈzā-shən  ˌpäl-ə-mə-rə- 

1

: a chemical reaction in which two or more small molecules combine to form larger molecules that contain repeating structural units of the original molecules compare association sense 4

2

: reduplication of parts in an organism