ionization

I1O1N1I1Z10A1T1I1O1N1
/ˌaɪənɪˈzeɪʃən/

noun

Any process that leads to the dissociation of a neutral atom or molecule into charged particles ions; the state of being ionized.

Similar
ionisation
OriginEnglish ionize ← Ancient Greek ἰόν (ión) ← Proto-Hellenic *éimi →
Less commonScrabble 19
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Meanings

ionization1

nounionization (countable and uncountable, plural ionizations)

plural ionizations · alternative ionisation

  1. countableuncountablechemistryAny process that leads to the dissociation of a neutral atom or molecule into charged particles ions; the state of being ionized.

Ionization2

nounIonization (uncountable)
  1. alternativeuncountableAlternative form of Ionicization.

    We may also conclude that as it was the Ionic γένη of the Attic tetrapolis who in the main achieved the Ionization of Athens, so it was a branch of this same stock that settled at Delos […]

    2010, Lewis Richard Farnell, The Cults of the Greek States, page 108

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe condition of being dissociated into ions (as by heat or radiation or chemical reaction or electrical discharge)

Similar
ionisation
Broader
conditionstatus

nounthe process of ionizing; the formation of ions by separating atoms or molecules or radicals or by adding or subtracting electrons from atoms by strong electric fields in a gas

Similar
ionisation
Broader
natural processnatural actionaction

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*h₁ey-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*h₁éyti
  3. Proto-Hellenic*éimi
  4. Ancient Greekἰόν (ión)
  5. Englishion
  6. Englishionize
  7. Englishionization

From ionize + -ation.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian йонизация
  • йонизация (jonizacija)any process that leads to dissociation
Catalan ionització
  • ionitzacióany process that leads to dissociation
Czech ionizace
  • ionizaceany process that leads to dissociation
Finnish ionisaatio
  • ionisaatioany process that leads to dissociation
French ionisation
  • ionisationany process that leads to dissociation
German Ionisation
  • Ionisationany process that leads to dissociation
Hindi आयनन, आयनीकरण
  • आयनन (āynan)any process that leads to dissociation
  • आयनीकरण (āynīkraṇ)any process that leads to dissociation
Icelandic jónun
  • jónunany process that leads to dissociation
Irish ianú, ianúchán
  • ianúany process that leads to dissociation
  • ianúchánany process that leads to dissociation
Italian ionizzazione
  • ionizzazioneany process that leads to dissociation
Japanese イオン化, 電離
  • イオン化 (ionka)any process that leads to dissociation
  • 電離 (denri)any process that leads to dissociation
Māori whakakatotetanga
  • whakakatotetangaany process that leads to dissociation
Polish jonizacja
  • jonizacjaany process that leads to dissociation
Portuguese ionização
  • ionizaçãoany process that leads to dissociation
Romanian ionizare, ionizație
  • ionizareany process that leads to dissociation
  • ionizațieany process that leads to dissociation
Russian иониза́ция
  • иониза́ция (ionizácija)any process that leads to dissociation
Spanish ionización
  • ionizaciónany process that leads to dissociation
Swedish jonisering
  • joniseringany process that leads to dissociation
Tagalog sadagipik
  • sadagipikany process that leads to dissociation
Welsh ïoneiddiad
  • ïoneiddiadany process that leads to dissociation
Cite this entry
APA

ionization. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ionization

MLA

“ionization.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ionization. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ionization,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ionization.

Source: ionization on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.