Ionization

n.

1.

(Elec. Chem.) the process of converting neutral atoms or molecules into ions. The process may occur by dissolving an ionic substance in a dissociating solvent, such as water, or by adding or subtracting an electron to or from an atom or molecule. The latter process occurs, for example, in an electron beam in a mass spectrometer and by interaction of substances with ionizing radiation.

Noun	1.	ionization - the condition of being dissociated into ions (as by heat or radiation or chemical reaction or electrical discharge); "the ionization of a gas" Synonyms: ionisation
	2.	ionization - the process of ionizing; the formation of ions by separating atoms or molecules or radicals or by adding or subtracting electrons from atoms by strong electric fields in a gas Synonyms: ionisation

alpha decay, anion, atom-chipping, atom-smashing, atomic disintegration, atomic reaction, atomization, beta decay, bombardment, breeding, bullet, cation, chain reaction, cleavage, disintegration series, dissociation, electrocoating, electroetching, electrogalvanization, electrogilding, electrograving, electrolysis, electrolyte, electroplating, exchange reaction, fission, fission reaction, galvanization, gamma decay, ion, ionogen, neutron reaction, nonelectrolyte, nonreversible reaction, nuclear fission, nucleization, photodisintegration, proton gun, proton reaction, reversible reaction, splitting the atom, stimulation, target, thermonuclear reaction