WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
so•lar•ize
(sō′lə rīz′),USA pronunciation v., -ized, -iz•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
so′lar•i•za′tion, n.
v.t.
- Photographyto reverse (an image) partially, as from negative to positive, by exposure to light during development.
- Buildingto adapt (a building) to the use of solar energy:We hope to solarize our house within five years.
- to affect by sunlight.
v.i.
- Photography(of material) to become injured by overexposure.
- solar1 + -ize 1850–55