ionization
noun
ion·i·za·tion
ˌī-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən 
plural ionizations
1
: the act or process of ionizing something : conversion of a substance into ions
Then other photons, collisions or an electric field cause ionization of the excited neutral species.—
G. Samuel Hurst and Vladilen S. Letokhov
G. Samuel Hurst and Vladilen S. Letokhov2
: the state of being ionized
While the light flashes themselves are not harmful, the tissue ionization caused by the intruding particle near the end of its track is indeed deadly to some affected cells.—James D. Burke
James D. BurkeExamples of ionization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Stellar radiation and ionization also directly impact the temperature of the disk, affecting how the dust and gas move.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Absorbing an abundance of lower-energy photons won't do the trick for ionization.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2025
The ionization process produces a cloud of ions and electrons.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Jan. 2025
The light from young energetic stars is slowly transforming the cold gas into hot gas, revealing the advancing boundary between both, known as the ionization front.
—Miguel Claro, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ionization
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Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2025
Absorbing an abundance of lower-energy photons won't do the trick for ionization.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2025
The ionization process produces a cloud of ions and electrons.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Jan. 2025
The light from young energetic stars is slowly transforming the cold gas into hot gas, revealing the advancing boundary between both, known as the ionization front.
—Miguel Claro, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ionization
Cite this Entry
“Ionization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ionization. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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