dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈa-lə-səs 
plural dialyses
dī-ˈa-lə-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
especially
: such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient affected with kidney failure), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein
called also hemodialysis
Examples of dialysis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His chances of living five more years on long-term dialysis are just around 35%.
—
Nadia Kounang, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
In 2023, Arthur Green, a 73-year-old patient on kidney dialysis, sued the state for release four months after being granted medical parole.
—Sarah Kliff, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
The group’s services include helping people with intellectual disabilities live on their own and giving essential transportation to elderly people, like an 86-year-old woman who needs dialysis.
—Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
The semaglutide group had a 24% lower chance of developing a serious complication, such as needing dialysis or a kidney transplant.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dialysis
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Nadia Kounang, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
In 2023, Arthur Green, a 73-year-old patient on kidney dialysis, sued the state for release four months after being granted medical parole.
—Sarah Kliff, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
The group’s services include helping people with intellectual disabilities live on their own and giving essential transportation to elderly people, like an 86-year-old woman who needs dialysis.
—Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
The semaglutide group had a 24% lower chance of developing a serious complication, such as needing dialysis or a kidney transplant.
—Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dialysis
Cite this Entry
“Dialysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialysis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈal-ə-səs
plural dialyses
-ə-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through membranes with pores of a specified maximum size
especially
: such a separation of colloids from dissolved substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient with failing kidneys), purifying it by dialysis, and returning it to a vein
Medical Definition
dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈal-ə-səs
plural dialyses
-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
especially
: such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2
: either of two medical procedures to remove wastes or toxins from the blood and adjust fluid and electrolyte imbalances by utilizing rates at which substances diffuse through a semipermeable membrane:
a
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a kidney patient), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein
called also hemodialysis
b
: a procedure performed in the peritoneal cavity in which the peritoneum acts as the semipermeable membrane
called also peritoneal dialysis
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