Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of becoming material or taking physical form: The process by which something abstract, such as an idea or spirit, assumes a concrete, physical existence.
   • An instance of something appearing in bodily or concrete form: A specific event or result where something previously intangible becomes perceptible or real.
   • The process of coming into being or becoming reality: The realization or actualization of a plan, dream, or possibility.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The sudden materialization of a rabbit from the magician's hat amazed the audience. (The sudden appearance in physical form.)
  • The new community center is the materialization of years of planning and fundraising. (It is the concrete result or realization of the efforts.)
  • Scientists study the materialization of particles in quantum fields. (The process of coming into physical existence.)

Advanced Usage

• In a spiritual or paranormal context: Refers to the manifestation of a spirit or apparition in a form that can be perceived by the senses.
  • The séance claimed to achieve the materialization of a ghostly figure.
• In business or project management: Describes the point when a concept or proposal becomes a tangible product or outcome.
  • The materialization of the prototype is scheduled for next quarter.

Variants and Related Words

• Materialize (verb): To become actual or real; to appear in bodily form.
  • The promised investment never materialized.
• Dematerialization (noun): The opposite process; the act of losing physical form or becoming immaterial.
• Material (noun/adjective): The substance or matter from which something is made; having physical form.

Synonyms

• Manifestation: An event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something abstract.
• Realization: The achievement of something desired or anticipated; making something real.
• Actualization: The process of making a reality of something.
• Embodiment: A tangible or visible form of an idea, quality, or feeling.
• Concretization: The process of making something concrete, specific, or definite.

Antonyms

• Disappearance: The act of ceasing to be visible.
• Dematerialization: The process of losing physical form.
• Vanishing: Disappearing suddenly and completely.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To come to fruition: To achieve the desired result, similar to materialization in the sense of a plan becoming real.
  • After a decade of work, his vision finally came to fruition.
• To take shape: To begin to develop a more defined or concrete form.
  • The new policy is starting to take shape after months of discussion.

Noun

1. something that comes into existence as a result
   • industrialism prepared the way for acceptance of the French Revolution's various socialistic offspring
   • this skyscraper is the solid materialization of his efforts
2. an appearance in bodily form (as of a disembodied spirit)
3. the process of coming into being; becoming reality
   • the materialization of her dream