Standard Lemma guide

sensitization

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The process of making something sensitive.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

rendering an organism sensitive to a serum by a series of injections

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: sensitizing, sensitising, sensitisation

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: immunization, immunisation

3

noun

Meaning 3

(psychology) the process of becoming highly sensitive to specific events or situations (especially emotional events or situations)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: sensitisation

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: process, physical process

4

noun

Meaning 4

the state of being sensitive (as to an antigen)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: sensitisation

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: sensitivity, predisposition

Narrower terms: irritation

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English sensitive Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English sensitize Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English sensitization From sensitize + -ation.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: senzibilizace — process of making something sensitive
  • Finnish: herkistäminen — process of making something sensitive
  • German: Sensitivierung — process of making something sensitive
  • Greek: ευαισθητοποίηση (evaisthitopoíisi) — process of making something sensitive
  • Japanese: 感作 (kansa) — process of making something sensitive
  • Romanian: sensibilizare — process of making something sensitive