ionize

verb

ion·​ize ˈī-ə-ˌnīz How to pronounce ionize (audio)
ionized; ionizing

transitive verb

: to convert wholly or partly into ions

intransitive verb

: to become ionized
ionizable
ˈī-ə-ˌnī-zə-bəl How to pronounce ionize (audio)
adjective
ionizer
ˈī-ə-ˌnī-zər How to pronounce ionize (audio)
noun

Examples of ionize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The machine uses a high-voltage wire to ionize microscopic water droplets suspended in fog. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026 These newborn stellar objects will then ionize nearby hydrogen gas to form H II regions. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026 In the middle of the BioCharger, within the geometric, connected plates of glass, is a Tesla coil, which ionizes the surrounding 12 glass tubes that hold six noble gases, the gases in the earth’s atmosphere. — Rebecca Leib, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Later, as the disk thins and starlight can pass through it more easily, these winds and jets weaken, and magnetic processes are dominated by high-energy radiation from the infant star ionizing gas and blowing it into space. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ionize

Word History

Etymology

ion + -ize, after German ionisiren (now ionisieren) or French ioniser

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of ionize was in 1898

Rhymes for ionize

See All Rhymes for ionize

Browse Nearby Words

ionization potential
ionize
ionogen
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ionize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ionize. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ionize

verb
ion·​ize ˈī-ə-ˌnīz How to pronounce ionize (audio)
ionized; ionizing
1
: to convert wholly or partly into ions
2
: to become ionized
ionizable
-ˌnī-zə-bəl How to pronounce ionize (audio)
adjective
ionization
ˌī-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce ionize (audio)
noun
ionizer
ˈī-ə-ˌnī-zər How to pronounce ionize (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

ionize

verb
ion·​ize
variants or chiefly British ionise
ˈī-ə-ˌnīz How to pronounce ionize (audio)
ionized or chiefly British ionised; ionizing or chiefly British ionising

transitive verb

: to convert wholly or partly into ions

intransitive verb

: to become ionized
ionizable adjective
or chiefly British ionisable
-ˌnī-zə-bəl How to pronounce ionize (audio)
ionization noun
or chiefly British ionisation
ˌī-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce ionize (audio)
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