Polarisation: meaning, definitions and examples

🔲

Add to dictionary

polarisation

[ˌpəʊləraɪˈzeɪʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

physical science

The action of restricting the vibrations of a transverse wave, especially light, wholly or partially to one direction.

Synonyms

alignment, direction, orientation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
polarisation	Discussing situations where opinions, beliefs, or positions become more extreme and divided. Often used in political, social, or scientific discussions. Can have a negative connotation when referring to relationships or societies. There is increasing polarisation among the voters on the issue of climate change The polarisation of opinions has made it difficult to reach a consensus
alignment	Used when talking about bringing parts into proper order, agreement, or cooperation. Common contexts include teamwork, business strategies, machinery, and politics. The company's goals are in alignment with the new strategy Proper wheel alignment is essential for vehicle safety
orientation	Utilized when referring to the position or alignment of something relative to a reference point, or when introducing people to a new environment or situation. The satellite's orientation needs to be adjusted There is an orientation for new employees next Monday
direction	Mentioned when referring to the course along which someone or something moves. It can be used in physical, strategic, or abstract contexts. She asked for directions to the nearest pharmacy The project is heading in a positive direction

Examples of usage

The polarisation of light can be achieved by passing it through a polarising filter.
Polarisation is an important concept in the study of electromagnetic waves.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

politics

The sharp division of a population or group into opposing factions.

Synonyms

conflict, division, split.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
polarisation	Used to describe a situation where opinions or groups are divided into two extreme opposing sides. Often seen in discussions about politics or social issues. The debate on climate change has led to significant polarisation within the community. Social media can sometimes exacerbate polarisation among its users.
division	Describes the act of separating something into parts or the state of being separated, often used in the context of social or political groups. The division within the team led to decreased productivity. There is a clear division in opinions about the new law.
split	Usually refers to a separation into parts often implying a complete and sometimes abrupt separation, can be physical, ideological, or emotional. The company decided to split into two separate entities. There was a split in the friendship after the argument.
conflict	Refers to a serious disagreement or argument, often involving groups or countries. It can be used for both physical confrontations and ideological disputes. The conflict between the two countries has been going on for decades. There was a major conflict at work over the new policy changes.

Examples of usage

The polarisation of political parties has made it difficult to find common ground.
The polarisation of public opinion on this issue is evident.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

Originates from the Latin word 'polaris', which means 'of the poles'.
Initially used in the context of light, describing the orientation of light waves.
The term has evolved to describe social, political, and emotional divisions among groups.

Politics

In many democracies, political polarisation can lead to increased conflict and gridlock in decision-making.
Social media platforms have been shown to amplify polarisation by creating echo chambers where people only see views similar to their own.
Regions with high polarisation may experience social unrest as people become more passionate about their differing views.

Psychology

Polarisation often creates a 'us vs. them' mindset, leading to a lack of empathy towards those with opposing views.
Research has shown that when people are in groups, they are more likely to adopt extreme positions than if they were alone.
Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, play a significant role in how polarisation occurs, as individuals favor information that aligns with their beliefs.

Science

In physics, polarisation refers to waves (like light) oscillating in a particular direction, impacting how we perceive light.
Polarisation can also be observed in social science, where the distribution and alignment of opinions can be measured.
Environmental issues can create polarisation, affecting how communities approach climate change and resource management.

Pop Culture

Many films and books illustrate the theme of polarisation, often focusing on characters from conflicting backgrounds or ideologies.
Television shows that focus on divided communities can reflect real-life polarisation and spark discussions about the issues portrayed.
Social movements, such as those for climate action or social justice, can highlight polarisation by showing how different groups mobilize for their beliefs.

Translations

Translations of the word "polarisation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 polarização

🇮🇳 ध्रुवीकरण (Dhruvīkraṇ)

🇩🇪 Polarisation

🇮🇩 polarisasi

🇺🇦 поляризація

🇵🇱 polaryzacja

🇯🇵 偏光 (へんこう, henkō)

🇫🇷 polarisation

🇪🇸 polarización

🇹🇷 kutuplaşma

🇰🇷 편광 (pyeongwang)

🇸🇦 استقطاب (istiqtāb)

🇨🇿 polarizace

🇸🇰 polarizácia

🇨🇳 极化 (jíhuà)

🇸🇮 polarizacija

🇮🇸 skautun

🇰🇿 поляризация

🇬🇪 პოლარიზაცია (pol'arizatsia)

🇦🇿 qütbləşmə

🇲🇽 polarización

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,515, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
20512 ole
20513 sag
20514 gong
20515 polarisation
20516 falcon
20517 principality
20518 virile
...