polarization
noun
po·lar·i·za·tion
ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən 
plural polarizations
1
: division into two sharply distinct opposites
especially
: a state in which the opinions, beliefs, or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremes
political polarization
… the relationship between partisan polarization and legislative gridlock is direct, with stalemate more frequent as the political center shrinks. —
Sarah A. Binder
Sarah A. Binder The drift in our society now is not toward a grouping around the middle, but toward polarization. —Richard Todd
Richard Todd … the venue where our most fractious … arguments over identity occur: the internet. These arguments do not play out on a democratized playing field where all identities are weighted equally; rather, they play out in a meticulously crafted environment where identities are microtargeted and polarization is amplified by algorithms. —Emma Levy
Emma Levy 2
: the action of polarizing or state of being or becoming polarized: such as
a(1)
: the action or process of affecting radiation and especially light so that the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form
(2)
: the state of radiation affected by this process
b
: an increase in the resistance of an electrolytic cell often caused by the deposition of gas on one or both electrodes
c
Examples of polarization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These imprints manifest as specific modulations in the probing light’s frequency, amplitude, phase and polarization.
—Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
The church’s sprawling geographic reach poses just one of the hurdles ahead in his duties as president, especially with today’s political polarization and national allegiances, Köhler said in an interview with The Associated Press.
—Luis Andres Henao, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Lander describes himself as a Zionist who can work with Mamdani on confronting New York’s affordability crisis and against polarization.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 2 July 2025
The preoccupation with polarization is one of those fairness cons derived from media virtue-signaling.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
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Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
The church’s sprawling geographic reach poses just one of the hurdles ahead in his duties as president, especially with today’s political polarization and national allegiances, Köhler said in an interview with The Associated Press.
—Luis Andres Henao, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Lander describes himself as a Zionist who can work with Mamdani on confronting New York’s affordability crisis and against polarization.
—Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 2 July 2025
The preoccupation with polarization is one of those fairness cons derived from media virtue-signaling.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for polarization
Cite this Entry
“Polarization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polarization. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
polarization
noun
po·lar·iza·tion
variants
also British polarisation
: the action of polarizing or state of being or becoming polarized: as
a(1)
: the action or process of affecting radiation and especially light so that the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form
(2)
: the state of radiation affected by this process
b
: an increase in the resistance of an electrolytic cell caused by the deposition of gas on one or both electrodes
c
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