A detailed knowledge of the terminology and its background is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the professional literature in the field of materials science. This sharply focused, authoritative lexicon affords the reader a coherent idea of microstructure formation and evolution. All the term definitions are supplied with explanations and cross-references, offering a consistent picture of microstructure in metallic and non-metallic polycrystalline materials. Written by an author with over thirty years of teaching and research experience, it fills the terminological gap between the textbooks on materials science and the professional literature. Concise Dictionary of Materials Science: Structure and Characterization of Polycrystalline Materials contains more than 1400 terms commonly used in modern literature, research, and practice. Throughout the dictionary, the emphasis is on lattice defects and their role in diffusion, plastic deformation and phase transitions, as well as on the granular structure and its formation and changes in the course of phase transitions, recrystallization, and grain growth. In addition, all the entries from the dictionary are presented in the English-German/German-English Glossary, providing in one volume quick access to the key concepts and terms in both of the languages.Highlighting structure description, formation, and characterization, Concise Dictionary of Materials Science is a very useful reference for students in materials science and engineering, for researchers, engineers, and technologists in metalworking, microelectronic, and ceramic industries, as well as for readers without a technical background.