materialization

ma·te·ri·al·ize  (m-tîr--lz)

v. ma·te·ri·al·ized, ma·te·ri·al·iz·ing, ma·te·ri·al·iz·es

v.tr.

1. To cause to become real or actual: By building the house, we materialized a dream.

2. To cause to become materialistic: "Inequality has the natural and necessary effect . . . of materializing our upper class, vulgarizing our middle class, and brutalizing our lower class" (Matthew Arnold).

v.intr.

1. To assume material or effective form: Their support on the eastern flank did not materialize.

2. To take physical form or shape.

3. To appear, especially suddenly. See Synonyms at appear.

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ma·teri·al·i·zation (--l-zshn) n.

ma·teri·al·izer n.

Usage Note: In its original senses materialize is used without an object to mean "to assume material form," as in Marley's ghost materialized before Scrooge's eyes, or with an object to mean "to cause to assume material form," as in Disney materialized his dream in a plot of orchard land in Orange County. But these uses are probably less common nowadays than two extended senses of the verb. In the first, the meaning is roughly "to appear suddenly," as in No sooner had we set the menu down than a waiter materialized at our table. Some critics have labeled this use as pretentious or incorrect, but it has been around for more than a century, appears in the writing of highly respected writers, and seems a natural extension of the original sense. The second meaning is "to take effective shape, come into existence." In this use, materialize tends to be applied to things or events that have been foreseen or anticipated, and usually occurs in negative constructions: The promised subsidies never materialized. It was thought the community would oppose the measure, but no new objections materialized. While objections continue to materialize against this usage, it too is well established in reputable writing and follows a familiar pattern of metaphoric extension.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	materialization - the process of coming into being; becoming reality; "the materialization of her dream" materialisation natural action, natural process, action, activity - a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings); "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity"
	2.	materialization - an appearance in bodily form (as of a disembodied spirit) materialisation, manifestation appearance - the event of coming into sight
	3.	materialization - 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" offspring, materialisation consequence, effect, result, upshot, outcome, event, issue - a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon; "the magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise"; "his decision had depressing consequences for business"; "he acted very wise after the event"

Translations

materialization

n → Verkörperung f; (of ghosts) → Materialisation f