The word ‘polarization’, which became an integral part of socio-political discourse in 2024, is also Merriam-Webster’s word of the year. This concept, often heard in political debate and dialogue, has come to define the growing divisions in societies around the world. But what does it actually mean and why has it become so important this year?
What is ‘polarization’?
According to Merriam-Webster, ‘polarization’ is defined as “a division into two completely different opposites”; Specifically, a situation in which the opinions, beliefs, or interests of a group or society no longer lie along a continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremes.
“Polarization means division, but it is a very specific kind of division,” Peter Sokolowski, editor at large at Merriam-Webster, told the AP. Polarization means we are moving toward the extremes rather than the center.”
According to the AP, in 2024, this concept resonated deeply, especially in the context of the US presidential election, which left many people feeling more divided than ever. MSNBC said, “The 2024 presidential election has polarized our country more than ever,” while Fox News discussed how issues such as immigration have intensified “voter polarization.”
While the term ‘polarization’ is today largely associated with political division, it has its roots in the physical world. According to Merriam-Webster, “Polarization, and the verb polarize, date back to the early 1800s when they first described light waves. That physical meaning of polarization – ‘causing vibrations in a certain pattern’ – carried over to political and cultural meaning. Gives birth to what helps define the world today.’
The term is derived from the Latin polaris, meaning pole of the Earth, and is also associated with the North Star, Polaris.
Significance of 2024 Word of the Year
So, why did ‘polarization’ emerge as Merriam-Webster’s choice this year? According to Sokolowski, the increased use of the term reflects a social shift toward more clear divisions. He described ‘polarization’ as “a very new word” in the English language.
Sokolowski sees the dictionary as a stabilizing force in an era of fake news. He said, “It has always been important to me that the dictionary serves as a kind of neutral and objective arbiter of meaning for everyone. It’s a kind of backstop for meaning in the age of fake news, alternative facts, whatever you want to say about the value of a word’s meaning in culture.
