English Reference

Word

ionizing

Phoneticsion·iz·ing

/ˈaɪəˌnaɪzɪŋ/

UK spelling · ionising

Definition

v. describing radiation or energy that has enough power to remove electrons from atoms. This process can change the chemical structure of matter.

v. relating to or causing the removal of electrons from atoms or molecules, resulting in the formation of ions. Often describes high-energy radiation or electrical discharges.

Examples

“Ionizing radiation can be harmful to living cells.”

“The detector is designed to measure ionizing radiation levels in the atmosphere to ensure public safety.”

“While non-ionizing radiation like visible light is generally harmless, ionizing radiation from X-rays or cosmic rays has enough energy to disrupt molecular bonds and cause cellular damage.”

Examples

simple

“Ionizing radiation can be harmful to living cells.”

contextual

“The detector is designed to measure ionizing radiation levels in the atmosphere to ensure public safety.”

complex

“While non-ionizing radiation like visible light is generally harmless, ionizing radiation from X-rays or cosmic rays has enough energy to disrupt molecular bonds and cause cellular damage.”

Real-World Examples

“The court highlighted the role of night work, exposure to ionising radiation and passive smoking.”
The Guardian · 26 Aug 2026
“Google also performed experiments with its V6e Trillium TPU compute tray and found that, over time, ionizing radiation can cause device failures.”
Ars Technica · 15 Jul 2026

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/ionizing

English Reference