1. relating to or capable of causing photoionization; describing radiation or photons that have sufficient energy to remove electrons from atoms or molecules
Usage: technical; physics and astronomy

1. present participle of photoionize; to ionize (an atom or molecule) by absorbing a photon of light
Usage: technical; physics

Examples

• Ultraviolet radiation is photoionizing, stripping electrons from atmospheric gases.
• The photoionizing radiation from the star ionized the surrounding hydrogen gas.
• Photoionizing photons have enough energy to break apart water molecules.
• The telescope detected photoionizing X-rays from the active galactic nucleus.
• Photoionizing processes in the early universe played a crucial role in reionization.