(BrE also polarise) verb
1 to separate or make people separate into two groups with completely opposite opinions:
[V] Public opinion has polarized on this issue. * [VN] The issue has polarized public opinion.
2 [VN] (physics) to make waves of light, etc. VIBRATE in a single direction
3 [VN] (physics) to give polarity to sth:
to polarize a magnet
polarization, polarisation noun [U,C]
