condensation

noun

con·​den·​sa·​tion ˌkän-ˌden-ˈsā-shən 

-dən-

1

: the act or process of condensing: such as

a

: a chemical reaction involving union between molecules often with elimination of a simple molecule (such as water) to form a new more complex compound of often greater molecular weight

b

: the conversion of a substance (such as water) from the vapor state to a denser liquid or solid state usually initiated by a reduction in temperature of the vapor

c

: compression of a written or spoken work into more concise form

an essay greatly in need of condensation

2

: the quality or state of being condensed

3

: a product of condensing

read a condensation of the long novel

condensational

ˌkän-ˌden-ˈsā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

-dən-

adjective

Synonyms

• abbreviation
• abridgment
• abridgement
• bowdlerization
• digest

Examples of condensation in a Sentence

When we heat the house in the winter, condensation forms on the windows.

Condensation dripped from the air conditioner.

the processes of evaporation and condensation

The editor found condensation of the play very difficult.

a condensation of one of Shakespeare's plays

Recent Examples on the Web

López told our group of nine how the ancient Romans had used the tunnels as escape routes from invaders, then grabbed a few of the mysterious bottles, wiped off the condensation, and led us out into the sunlight to taste them. —Megan Lloyd, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024

And so it’s characterized by the condensation of chromatin, or of the DNA, inside the nucleus. —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024

The white lines from planes are actually called condensation trails, or contrails. —Lottie McGrath, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024

Once upon a time, condensation was standard practice in school composition classes, while Hollywood still practices the beat sheet method for rapidly blocking out a storyline. —Rhea Wessel, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

condensation

noun

con·​den·​sa·​tion ˌkän-ˌden-ˈsā-shən 

-dən-

1

: the act or process of condensing

2

: the quality or state of being condensed

3

: a product of condensing

especially : a shortened literary work

Medical Definition

condensation

noun

con·​den·​sa·​tion ˌkän-ˌden-ˈsā-shən, -dən- 

1

: the act or process of condensing: as

a

: a chemical reaction involving union between molecules often with elimination of a simple molecule (as water) to form a new more complex compound of often greater molecular weight

b

: the conversion of a substance (as water) from the vapor state to a denser liquid or solid state usually initiated by a reduction in temperature of the vapor

2

: representation of several apparently discrete ideas by a single symbol especially in dreams

3

: an abnormal hardening of an organ or tissue

connective tissue condensations