Definitions

1. verb

to treat the surface of a metal, especially iron or steel, with a protective layer of oxide to prevent rusting, or to reduce the reactivity of a material

“The engineer had to passivate the metal components before assembling the machinery.”

2. verb

to make someone less aggressive or less likely to take action

“The politician tried to passivate the crowd by promising to address their concerns.”

3. noun

a state of being less reactive or less likely to take action

“The company was in a state of passivation during the economic downturn.”

4. verb

to make something less reactive or less likely to undergo a chemical change

“The chemist had to passivate the catalyst before it could be used in the reaction.”