crystallisation

Everyday

1. (science) The process of crystals forming, for example when a salty or sugary solution cools or the water evaporates. tree →
2. The way an idea or plan becomes clear and definite. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons: dissolve salt or sugar in warm water, leave it, and the water evaporates — crystals grow (crystallisation). It is a way to get a solid back from a solution, a separation method. Snowflakes and frost also form by crystallisation.

Examples

• We watched the crystallisation of salt in a dish. tree →
• Crystallisation separates salt from salty water. tree →
• Honey can turn hard by crystallisation. tree →
• Snowflakes form by crystallisation of water vapour. tree →
• Slow crystallisation makes bigger crystals. tree →
• The meeting led to the crystallisation of our plan. tree →

Note

UK spelling -isation, US -ization. Verb: crystallise / crystallize. Uncountable. Note the double l: crystal-l-isation.