Definition

1. Noun:
   • The property of having poles or being oriented toward opposite directions: In physics and electricity, "polarity" refers to the condition of having two opposite or contrasting poles, such as the positive and negative ends of a magnet or battery.
   • The state of being directly opposite in character, tendency, or opinion: More generally, "polarity" describes a fundamental division or opposition between two contrasting principles, ideas, or forces.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • He got the polarity of the battery reversed, so the device wouldn't work. (The positive and negative terminals were connected incorrectly.)
  • The debate highlighted the political polarity between the two parties. (It showed their completely opposing viewpoints.)
  • In magnetism, the polarity of the Earth's field has flipped many times in history. (The orientation of the north and south magnetic poles has reversed.)

Advanced Usage

• "Moral polarity": A stark opposition between good and evil.
  • The novel explores the moral polarity in a corrupt society.
• "Reverse the polarity": To switch the orientation of positive and negative connections.
  • To fix the motor, you need to reverse the polarity of the wires.

Variants and Related Words

• Polar (adj): Relating to or located at a pole; characterized by opposite extremes.
  • The two leaders held polar opinions on the issue.
• Polarize (verb): To cause to concentrate about two opposing positions; to divide into sharply opposing groups.
  • The new law served to polarize public opinion.

Synonyms

• Opposition: Resistance or dissent, expressed in action or argument.
• Dichotomy: A division or contrast between two things that are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
• Duality: The quality or condition of being dual; an instance of opposition or contrast between two concepts or aspects.

Related Phrases

• Polarity of meaning: The opposition in meaning between words (e.g., hot/cold).
  • Linguists study the polarity of meaning in antonym pairs.

Related Idioms

• (To be) poles apart: To be completely opposite or have nothing in common.
  • Their philosophies on education are poles apart. (This idiom uses the concept of poles but is listed here as a related expression.)

Noun

1. having an indicated pole (as the distinction between positive and negative electric charges)
   • he got the polarity of the battery reversed
   • charges of opposite sign
2. a relation between two opposite attributes or tendencies
   • he viewed it as a balanced polarity between good and evil