neutralization

/ˌnutrələˈzeɪʃən/
noun
  1. The act of making something ineffective or harmless, or the state of being made ineffective or harmless.
    • The vaccine helps in the neutralization of the virus in the body.
    • Diplomats worked on the neutralization of the conflict before it escalated.
    • The neutralization of the chemical spill required a special team.
  2. In chemistry, a reaction between an acid and a base that produces a salt and water, making the solution neither acidic nor basic.
    • In the lab, we studied the neutralization of hydrochloric acid with sodium hydroxide.
    • The antacid tablet works through neutralization of stomach acid.
    • Neutralization is used to treat acidic soil by adding lime.
  3. The process of canceling out or balancing opposing forces, effects, or influences.
    • The neutralization of noise in the recording was achieved with special software.
    • The neutralization of the two magnetic fields caused the compass to spin.
    • In politics, the neutralization of opposing arguments is a common debate tactic.