polymerization

American  

[puh-lim-er-uh-zey-shuhn, pol-uh-mer-] / pəˌlɪm ər əˈzeɪ ʃən, ˌpɒl ə mər- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. the act or process of forming a polymer or polymeric compound.

2. the combination of many like or unlike molecules to form a more complex product of higher molecular weight, with elimination of water, alcohol, or the like condensation polymerization, or without such elimination addition polymerization.

3. the conversion of one compound into another by such a process.

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polymerization British  

/ ˌpɒlɪməraɪ-, pəˌlɪməraɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of forming a polymer or copolymer, esp a chemical reaction in which a polymer is formed

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Etymology

Origin of polymerization

First recorded in 1875–80; polymerize + -ation

Example Sentences

Any portion of the solution that does not undergo polymerization can be washed away, leaving the finished electrodes behind.

From Science Daily • Dec. 15, 2025

In addition to demonstrating how electron irradiation drives polymerization and restructuring, the experiment revealed TEM's potential for studying controlled reactions in other organic molecules as well.

From Science Daily • Oct. 29, 2025

Additionally, the researchers demonstrated overprinting of a ball lens onto an optical fiber, which was previously only possible using an additive manufacturing technique known as two-photon polymerization.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2024

This led to increased solubility of the intermediates and facilitated the synthesis of two-dimensional polymers with higher degree of polymerization and fewer defects, resulting in outstanding electrical conductivity after p-type doping.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2024

Under the conditions, too, existing beneath the surface of the earth, such polymerization as is necessary to account for the presence of the different classes of hydrocarbons found in petroleum is scarcely credible.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 829, November 21, 1891 by Various