hardening

/ˈhɑrdənɪŋ/
adjective
  1. Becoming hard or solid.
    • She watched the hardening wax form a seal on the envelope.
    • The hardening concrete was still warm to the touch.
    • The hardening glue was no longer sticky.
  2. Becoming more severe, strict, or determined.
    • The hardening stance of the government worried the protesters.
    • His hardening expression showed he would not change his mind.
    • She felt a hardening resolve to finish the marathon.
noun
  1. The process of becoming or making something hard or solid.
    • The hardening of the lava created new rock formations.
    • The hardening of the cement takes about 24 hours.
    • Arterial hardening can lead to serious health problems.
  2. A process of becoming more severe, strict, or unyielding.
    • The hardening of the company's policies upset many employees.
    • The hardening of security measures made it harder to enter the building.
    • There has been a hardening of attitudes toward immigration in recent years.
What does "hardening" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean