ionize

verb

ion·​ize ˈī-ə-ˌnīz 

ionized; ionizing

transitive verb

: to convert wholly or partly into ions

intransitive verb

: to become ionized

ionizable

ˈī-ə-ˌnī-zə-bəl 

adjective

ionizer

ˈī-ə-ˌnī-zər 

noun

Examples of ionize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Studies have linked prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation from radioactive fallout to elevated risks of disease, most notably leukemia and thyroid cancer, particularly among children. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026

Here’s why: San Onofre leaked deadly ionizing radiation into the atmosphere. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026

This works by ionizing atoms belonging to a gaseous propellant, such as xenon or krypton, and then accelerating those ions out through a nozzle to provide thrust. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026

Those stars then produce winds and ultraviolet radiation, which ionizes and blows the surrounding normal matter outward. —Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for ionize

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise

Kids Definition

ionize

verb

ion·​ize ˈī-ə-ˌnīz 

ionized; ionizing

1

: to convert wholly or partly into ions

2

: to become ionized

ionizable

-ˌnī-zə-bəl 

adjective

ionization

ˌī-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

ionizer

ˈī-ə-ˌnī-zər 

noun

Medical Definition

ionize

verb

ion·​ize

variants or chiefly British ionise

ˈī-ə-ˌnīz 

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 

ionization noun

or chiefly British ionisation

ˌī-ə-nə-ˈzā-shən