PoliticsJune 30, 2026
polarization
/ˌpoʊlərəˈzeɪʃən/
Definition
The sharp division of public opinion or political behavior into two opposing and often extreme groups.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'polus' (pole/axis) and the Greek 'polos', referring to the physical phenomenon of opposing magnetic or electric charges. In the 20th century, the term shifted from physics to social sciences to describe the movement of groups toward opposite extremes.
In the news
The article uses the term to highlight how support for vaccine policies is split along partisan lines, contrasting it with other health-related issues that enjoy broader, bipartisan agreement.
Poll: Everyone has a different idea of what counts as MAHA
Read the full article ↗Politico