# polymerization

/ˌpɑɫɪmɝəˈzeɪʃən/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/polymerization
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

the process of joining many small molecules together to form a much larger molecule. This is how plastic and many natural materials like rubber are made.

For teachers: the chemical process of joining monomers to form a polymer. Often involves the formation of long chains or networks through covalent bonds.

## Examples

- The polymerization of ethylene produces polyethylene.
- Industrial chemists carefully control the temperature and pressure during polymerization to ensure the final plastic has the desired strength and flexibility.
- The discovery of controlled radical polymerization allowed scientists to synthesize materials with precise molecular weights and specific branching structures that were previously impossible to achieve.

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