Definitions

1. verb

to cause people to have strong opposing views or feelings about something, often by presenting information in a biased or one-sided way

“The politician’s speech was accused of polarizing the community along racial lines.”

2. verb

to align or orient something, such as a magnet or a crystal, in relation to a magnetic or electric field

“The researcher polarized the magnet to study its properties.”

3. verb

to separate or distinguish something, especially by a process of alignment or orientation

“The light polarizer separated the unpolarized light into its component parts.”

4. noun

the process of separating or distinguishing something, especially by a process of alignment or orientation

“The scientist studied the polarization of light in the lab.”

5. noun

a state or condition of being strongly opposed or divided

“The country is in a state of polarization over the election results.”