polarization
gb/pˌoʊlɚɪzˈeɪʃən/ us/pˌoʊlɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
megosztottság, polarizáció, elektromos polarizáció
NOUN
C1
1
polarizáció
C1
Usage pattern:
polarization between [groups]; polarization over [issue]; the polarization of [society/opinion]
The election exposed the deep polarization between urban and rural voters.
A választás felszínre hozta a városi és a vidéki szavazók közötti mély megosztottságot.
Social media is often blamed for increasing polarization over public-health issues.
A közösségi médiát gyakran hibáztatják azért, hogy fokozza a közegészségügyi kérdésekkel kapcsolatos megosztottságot.
Leaders from both parties promised to reduce polarization, but the debate became even more bitter.
Learner examples
There is strong polarization in the country.
Erős megosztottság van az országban.
The issue caused polarization among voters.
Az ügy megosztottságot okozott a szavazók között.
Common mistake:
It is stronger than ordinary disagreement; it suggests a deep split into opposing sides. British English also spells it polarisation.
Meaning
sharp social division
Collocations
political polarization
|social polarization
|partisan polarization
|increasing polarization
|deep polarization
|growing polarization
|ideological polarization
|public polarization
|polarization over an issue
|media polarization
Synonyms
division (broader and more general; does not always imply two strongly opposed sides)
|
split (simpler and more informal; may refer to one specific break)
|
partisanship (mainly political; emphasizes loyalty to a party or side)
Antonyms
consensus (agreement instead of sharp opposition)
|
unity (being joined together rather than divided)
|
common ground (shared views or interests between opposing sides)
Themes
politics
|society
|media
|conflict
Definition
a situation in which people become divided into two very different and opposing groups or opinions
The process or condition in which people, opinions, or groups split into strongly opposed sides, especially in politics or society.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
2
polarizáció
C1
Usage pattern:
the polarization of [light/waves]; [linear/circular] polarization
The sunglasses reduce glare by taking advantage of the polarization of reflected light.
A napszemüveg a visszavert fény polarizációját kihasználva csökkenti a tükröződést.
Scientists measured the polarization of radio waves from the distant galaxy.
A tudósok megmérték a távoli galaxisból érkező rádióhullámok polarizációját.
A polarizing filter changes the brightness depending on the light's polarization.
Learner examples
Polarization helps sunglasses block glare.
A polarizáció segít a napszemüvegnek kiszűrni a tükröződést.
The screen uses polarization to control light.
A képernyő polarizációt használ a fény szabályozására.
Common mistake:
In everyday products, this is why some sunglasses or filters reduce glare; the lenses are usually called polarized lenses, not polarization lenses.
Meaning
oriented light waves
Collocations
light polarization
|optical polarization
|linear polarization
|circular polarization
|polarization state
|polarization direction
|polarization angle
|polarization filter
|the polarization of light
|polarized light
Synonyms
orientation (less precise; refers generally to direction or position)
|
wave alignment (descriptive term rather than the standard technical term)
Antonyms
depolarization (the reduction or removal of polarization)
|
unpolarized light (light whose vibrations are not restricted to one plane or direction)
Themes
physics
|optics
|photography
|technology
Definition
a property of light or other waves in which their vibrations line up in a particular direction
In physics, the state or process in which waves, especially light, vibrate in a particular direction or plane rather than in all directions.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
the polarization of [a material/molecule/electrode]; [dielectric/electrode/molecular] polarization
The sensor works by detecting polarization in a thin dielectric layer.
Az érzékelő egy vékony dielektromos réteg polarizációjának érzékelésével működik.
Water molecules show polarization because their charges are not evenly distributed.
A vízmolekulák polarizációt mutatnak, mert töltéseik nem egyenletesen oszlanak el.
Electrode polarization can affect the accuracy of some electrochemical measurements.
Learner examples
Polarization can happen inside a material.
Polarizáció egy anyag belsejében is létrejöhet.
The battery test was affected by electrode polarization.
Az akkumulátortesztet befolyásolta az elektródpolarizáció.
Common mistake:
Do not use it simply to mean electricity; it refers specifically to charge separation or alignment.
Meaning
separation of electric charge
Collocations
electric polarization
|dielectric polarization
|molecular polarization
|electrode polarization
|charge polarization
|interfacial polarization
|polarization charge
|polarization current
|membrane polarization
|polarization effect
Synonyms
charge separation (clearer and more descriptive, but less broad technically)
|
dipole alignment (more specific; emphasizes aligned positive-negative pairs)
Antonyms
depolarization (loss, reduction, or reversal of polarization)
|
charge neutralization (removal of separated charge by balancing positive and negative charges)
Themes
physics
|chemistry
|electronics
|materials
Definition
when electric charges in a substance move or line up so that one side becomes more positive and another side more negative
In physics and chemistry, the separation or alignment of positive and negative electric charges in a material, molecule, or electrode.
Grammar
Dictionary form
polarization
IPA
GB/pˌoʊlɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
US/pˌoʊlɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
po - lar - iz - a - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (iz)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: polarization
- Plural: polarization, polarizations
Expressions
affective polarization
1/əfˈɛktɪv pˌoʊlɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
hostility toward political opponents
political division based on dislike or distrust of the other side, not only disagreement about ideas
Examples
- The study measured affective polarization by asking voters how warmly they felt toward each party.
- Affective polarization can make people avoid friendships with supporters of the other side.
- Campaigns that insult opponents may increase affective polarization.
Learner examples
- Affective polarization is about political dislike.
- The two groups showed strong affective polarization.
circular polarization
1/sˈɚkjəlɚ pˌoʊlɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
rotating wave orientation
a type of polarization where the wave's direction turns around in a circle as it moves
Examples
- Some satellite systems use circular polarization to reduce signal problems caused by orientation.
- The 3D glasses separate images using opposite circular polarization.
- The instrument can detect both left-hand and right-hand circular polarization.
Learner examples
- Circular polarization is used in some 3D glasses.
- The satellite signal used circular polarization.
dielectric polarization
1/dˌaɪɪlˈɛktɹɪk pˌoʊlɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
charge shift in insulator
when charges inside an insulating material shift slightly because of an electric field
Examples
- Dielectric polarization allows a capacitor to store more energy.
- The material's dielectric polarization changes at high frequencies.
- Engineers modeled dielectric polarization in the ceramic layer.
Learner examples
- Dielectric polarization happens in insulators.
- Capacitors use dielectric polarization.
group polarization
1/ɡɹˈup pˌoʊlɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
groups becoming more extreme
when people in a group become more extreme after talking mostly with people who agree with them
Examples
- Online forums can create group polarization when users mostly hear from people who agree with them.
- After the meeting, group polarization made the committee support a riskier plan than any member had first proposed.
- Researchers studied group polarization in discussions about climate policy.
Learner examples
- Group polarization can happen in online communities.
- The group became more extreme after the discussion.
income polarization
1/ˈɪŋkˌʌm pˌoʊlɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
split between income groups
a situation where more people are rich or poor and fewer people are in the middle
Examples
- The city has experienced income polarization as housing costs have risen.
- Income polarization is often visible in neighborhoods with luxury apartments next to areas of poverty.
- Economists debated whether tax policy had contributed to income polarization.
Learner examples
- Income polarization can weaken the middle class.
- The report shows income polarization in the city.
job polarization
1/d͡ʒˈɑb pˌoʊlɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
business
growth at job extremes
a change in the job market where jobs in the middle decrease and jobs at the high and low ends increase
Examples
- Automation has been linked to job polarization in many advanced economies.
- Job polarization can reduce opportunities for workers without a college degree.
- The report describes job polarization as middle-skill office and factory jobs decline.
Learner examples
- Job polarization affects middle-skill workers.
- Technology can cause job polarization.
linear polarization
1/lˈɪniɚ pˌoʊlɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
waves in one plane
a type of polarization where the wave vibrates in one straight plane
Examples
- The antenna is designed for vertical linear polarization.
- A simple polarizing filter produces linear polarization in transmitted light.
- The experiment compared linear polarization with circular polarization.
Learner examples
- Linear polarization is common in light filters.
- The signal used linear polarization.
political polarization
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl pˌoʊlɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
division into political camps
a deep division between people with different political views
Examples
- Political polarization has made compromise in Congress harder.
- The survey found high levels of political polarization among younger voters.
- Some analysts argue that local news can reduce political polarization.
Learner examples
- Political polarization is growing before the election.
- The country has serious political polarization.