desiccation

noun

des·​ic·​ca·​tion ˌde-si-ˈkā-shən 

: the act or process of drying or desiccating something or the state of being or becoming dried up : removal or loss of moisture : thorough drying

desiccation of soil

This … led to the increasingly dry climate and eventual desiccation of all Central Asia and Tibet.

—Frits Staal

Examples of desiccation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All those areas of orange and red reveal dramatic desiccation. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025

Evergreen shrubs like mahonia benefit from protection against strong winter winds to avoid desiccation, particularly in the colder regions of its range. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2025

But individually wrapping bulbs in newspaper also shields them from bruising and desiccation. 6. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024

Overwintering Like other broadleaf evergreens, Golden Oakland® Hollies are susceptible to desiccation during the dry winter months and can be damaged by extreme cold. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

desiccation

noun

des·​ic·​ca·​tion ˌdes-i-ˈkā-shən 

: the act or process of desiccating or the state of being or becoming desiccated

especially : a complete or nearly complete deprivation of moisture (as by vaporization or by evaporation) or of water not chemically combined : dehydration

from the long-wave diathermy machine two distinct currents are obtained which produce desiccation and electrocoagulation respectively

—W. H. Schmidt