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

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

The desiccation of China’s north and the region’s recent drought, in 2010 and 2011, have affected not only agriculture but also other water-dependent activities, such as hydroelectric power generation. —Veerabhadran Ramanathan, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2016

If that happens, or if there’s a lack of insulating snow cover, winter desiccation can occur. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024

Some compared the rapid desiccation to the effect of turning off a giant faucet. —Hunter Clauss, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 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