NYT Dictionary

IONIZATION

/ˌaɪənɪˈzeɪʃən/
Nouni-on-i-ZA-tioni-on-i-za-tion · 5 syllablesGrade 11

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

Any process that leads to the dissociation of a neutral atom or molecule into charged particles ions; the state of being ionized.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁ey- Proto-Indo-European *h₁éyti Proto-Hellenic *éimi Ancient Greek ἰόν (ión)der. English ion Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íd͏̌d͏̌ō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English ionize Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English ionization From ionize + -ation.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

ionisationanionatomizationbombardmentbreedingbulletcationcleavagedissociationelectrolysis

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles:

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