polymerize

American  

[puh-lim-uh-rahyz, pol-uh-muh-] / pəˈlɪm əˌraɪz, ˈpɒl ə mə- /

especially British, polymerise

verb (used with object)

polymerized, polymerizing

1. to subject to polymerization.

---

verb (used without object)

polymerized, polymerizing

1. to undergo polymerization.

polymerize British  

/ pəˈlɪmə-, ˈpɒlɪməˌraɪz /

verb

1. to react or cause to react to form a polymer

---

Other Word Forms

• unpolymerized adjective

Etymology

Origin of polymerize

First recorded in 1860–65; polymer + -ize

Example Sentences

And skip the cooking spray: It can polymerize, leaving behind a sticky residue.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

After the animal is caught, the resin begins to polymerize and harden.

From Washington Post • Jan. 20, 2014

They had only to polymerize the chloroprene to the right point, and all of them were experienced polymerizers.

From Time Magazine Archive

Heat and pressure polymerize this substance into a tough, elastic product which looks much like crude natural rubber, but far surpasses it in resistance to age, heat, sunlight and gases.

From Time Magazine Archive

Left alone in a fuel air explosive weapon or other container, ethylene oxide tends to self polymerize.

From U.S. Patent 4,293,314: Gelled Fuel-Air Explosive October 6, 1981. by Stull, Bertram O.