ionization

noun

process by which atoms or molecules acquire charge by gaining or losing electrons

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˌaɪənɪˈzeɪʃən/

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁ey- Proto-Indo-European *h₁éyti Proto-Hellenic *éimi Ancient Greek εἶμι (eîmi)der. English ion Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō 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.

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