1. forms a nucleus or center around which other parts gather or develop
Usage: scientific; third person singular present tense
2. causes crystallization or condensation to begin at a specific point
Usage: chemistry; physics; third person singular present tense

Examples

• The dust particle nucleates ice crystal formation in the cloud.
• Salt nucleates the crystallization process in the solution.
• The protein nucleates the assembly of cellular structures.
• Cold air nucleates water vapor into droplets.
• The catalyst nucleates the chemical reaction at specific sites.
• Impurities in the metal nucleate crack formation under stress.