1. Plural of depolarizer; substances or agents that reduce or eliminate electrical polarization, especially in electrochemistry or physiology.
Usage: technical; chemistry/physiology
2. In electrochemistry, chemical species that accept electrons at the cathode of a battery or electrochemical cell, preventing the buildup of charge.
Usage: technical; electrochemistry
3. In physiology, agents or ions that reduce the resting membrane potential of cells, making them more likely to fire action potentials.
Usage: technical; physiology

Examples

• Oxygen serves as a depolarizer in alkaline batteries, accepting electrons at the cathode.
• The researchers studied how various depolarizers affected the electrical properties of the cell membrane.
• Depolarizers are essential components in many types of electrochemical cells used in industry.
• Sodium ions act as depolarizers when they enter the neuron during an action potential.
• The battery's efficiency improved when they added more effective depolarizers to the electrolyte.