polarity
noun
po·lar·i·ty
pō-ˈler-ə-tē 
pə-,
-ˈla-rə-
plural polarities
1
: the quality or condition inherent in a body that exhibits opposite properties or powers in opposite parts or directions or that exhibits contrasted properties or powers in contrasted parts or directions : the condition of having poles
2
: attraction toward a particular object or in a specific direction
3
: the particular state either positive or negative with reference to the two poles or to electrification
4
a
: diametrical opposition
b
: an instance of such opposition
Examples of polarity in a Sentence
the polarity of the candidates' views on the issue means that the voters have a clear choice to make
Recent Examples on the Web
And then there were tantric workshops, a Hindu tradition of working with energies and polarities.
—
Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
The outer jacket comes in a clear PVC, with a blue strip showing the cable’s polarity level.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
The polarity change can be detected in iron-rich minerals.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 7 Jan. 2026
Others concern the conventions of painting itself (such as the formal polarities flatness/perspective and abstraction/figuration) or the genres of the medium.
—James Meyer, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Polarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polarity. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
polarity
noun
po·lar·i·ty
pō-ˈlar-ət-ē
pə-
plural polarities
1
: the condition of having poles and especially magnetic or electrical poles
2
: attraction toward a particular object or in a specific direction
Medical Definition
polarity
noun
po·lar·i·ty
pō-ˈlar-ət-ē, pə-
plural polarities
1
: the quality or condition inherent in a body that exhibits contrasting properties or powers in contrasting parts or directions
2
: attraction toward a particular object or in a specific direction
3
: the particular state either positive or negative with reference to the two poles or to electrification
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