pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​i·​za·​tion ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpas-tyə-,

-tə-

1

: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (such as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys objectionable organisms without major chemical alteration of the substance

2

: irradiation of food products

Examples of pasteurization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Efforts to grow viable virus from milk that tested positive failed, supporting the FDA’s position that pasteurization kills the virus. —Helen Branswell, STAT, 30 May 2024

Testing confirms pasteurization is working to kill the virus, and the Food and Drug Administration says the commercial milk supply is safe. —CBS News, 22 May 2024

Testing has shown that pasteurization is effective in inactivating the bird flu virus. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 7 May 2024

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that milk and other dairy products from cows are safe to consume, since the pasteurization process seems to inactivate the virus. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2024

Testing confirms pasteurization kills the virus, and the FDA says the commercial milk supply is safe. —Laura Doan, CBS News, 13 May 2024

Testing has shown those viral fragments to be inactive — neutralized by the pasteurization process. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2024

In good news for milk drinkers, new FDA and academic studies showed that pasteurization does indeed inactivate the H5N1 bird flu virus, STAT’s Megan Molteni writes. —Rachel Cohrs Zhang Reprints, STAT, 2 May 2024

However, there’s no strong evidence to support these claims, and pasteurization does not destroy the nutritional value of milk.4 Raw milk contributes to hundreds of infections in the U.S. each year. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 7 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​i·​za·​tion ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpas-tə-

: the process of heating a liquid (as milk) to a temperature high enough and keeping it at that temperature long enough to kill many objectionable germs and then cooling it rapidly without causing a major change in its chemical composition

Medical Definition

pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​iza·​tion

variants also British pasteurisation

ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən, ˌpas-tə- 

1

: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys pathogenic microorganisms

2

: partial sterilization of perishable food products (as fruit or poultry) with radiation (as gamma rays emitted by cobalt 60)