polarization

/ˌpəʊləraɪˈzeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌpəʊlərəˈzeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌpō-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən/ (ame, mw)

polarization — noun

  • polarizationsingular
  • polarizationsplural

1. a process or condition in which a group, community, or debate separates into two

1.名詞C1
釋義

a process or condition in which a group, community, or debate separates into two sides that disagree strongly and move farther apart.

例句

Online arguments have increased political polarization among many young voters.

collocation: political polarization

The strike caused polarization between factory managers and night-shift workers.

pattern: polarization between + groups

同義詞
  • division

    broader and more neutral; it does not always suggest two extreme sides

  • split

    more informal and often used for a sudden break inside one group

  • schism

    formal; suggests a deep and lasting break, often in religion or politics

反義詞
  • consensus

    general agreement reached by a group

  • unity

    state of being joined rather than pulled into opposing sides

文法句型

polarization between + groups

polarization over + issue

political polarization

用法筆記

Often followed by 'between' for the two groups or 'over' for the disputed issue. Unlike general division, this sense suggests two opposite camps rather than many smaller differences.

常見錯誤

❌The company has strong polarization into five teams.
✅The company is divided into five teams.
💡polarization usually suggests two opposing sides, not any kind of separation.

2. the state or process in which light waves are made to vibrate mostly along the s

2.名詞C2
釋義

the state or process in which light waves are made to vibrate mostly along the same line.

例句

The lab teacher showed polarization by turning two filters in sunlight.

pattern: show polarization by + method

Polarization makes glare weaker when you wear good ski goggles.

common effect: reduce glare

同義詞
  • alignment

    broader scientific word for things arranged in one direction

  • filtering

    emphasizes the practical removal of certain light directions, not the wave state itself

  • polarizing effect

    phrase used for the result produced by a filter or lens

反義詞
  • scattering

    light spreads in many directions instead of being controlled into one

文法句型

polarization of + light

show/measure polarization

polarization by + filter

用法筆記

Common with verbs like 'show', 'measure', and 'reduce'. In everyday products, this sense often explains why certain lenses cut glare or why a screen looks darker from one angle.

常見錯誤

❌The sunglasses give strong polarization to my eyes.
✅The sunglasses use polarization to reduce glare.
💡polarization affects the light passing through the lens, not your eyes directly.

3. a coating added to glass or lenses to cut glare, or a rating of how strongly it

3.名詞C2
釋義

a coating added to glass or lenses to cut glare, or a rating of how strongly it does this.

例句

These sunglasses have enough polarization for driving on bright roads.

product feature: enough polarization for + use

The brochure compares the polarization of three car window films.

pattern: polarization of + product

同義詞

文法句型

polarization in + glass/lens

glass with polarization

degree of polarization

用法筆記

Usually used about glass, lenses, visors, or window film. Unlike sense 2, this sense names a product feature or rating, not the physical behavior of light itself.

常見錯誤

❌This window has good polarization, so the light waves all travel together.
✅This window has good polarization, so it cuts glare from the sea.
💡with glass, the noun usually refers to the coating or its strength.