The modification of an object which results in the loss of one or more symmetry elements, such as those which preclude chirality (mirror plane, centre of inversion, rotation-reflection axis), as in the conversion of a prochiral molecular entity into a chiral one.
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 2193. 'Basic terminology of stereochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2205 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122193)