( BrE also sen·si·tise ) / ˈsensətaɪz; NAmE / verb [ vn ] [ usually passive ]
1.
sensitize sb/sth (to sth) to make sb/sth more aware of sth, especially a problem or sth bad :
People are becoming more sensitized to the dangers threatening the environment.
2.
( technical ) to make sb/sth sensitive to physical or chemical changes, or to a particular substance
► sen·si·tiza·tion , sen·si·tisa·tion / ˌsensətaɪˈzəɪʃn; NAmE -təˈz-/ noun [ U ]