distillation

noun

dis·​til·​la·​tion ˌdi-stə-ˈlā-shən 

1

a

: the process of purifying a liquid by successive evaporation and condensation

b

: a process like distillation

gradual distillation of the truth

also : an instance of such distilling

2

: something distilled : distillate sense 2

Examples of distillation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Monuments are, almost by definition, unitary things, distillations of specific histories and emotions. —Holland Cotter, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2025

Gorgeous, the cocktail lounge that opened last October on the rooftop of NOVEL RiNo, seems to be a distillation of the group’s philosophy. —Colin Wrenn, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2025

The market indexes are a distillation of sentiment. —Axios, 11 Mar. 2025

System 1 is then populated by System 2's processing of experiences in the world, and the resultant distillation of what works and therefore is the next best action (or word). —Marcus Weldon, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing distillation

• destructive distillation

Rhymes for distillation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

distillation

noun

dis·​til·​la·​tion ˌdis-tə-ˈlā-shən 

: a process of heating a liquid or solid until it sends off a vapor and then cooling the vapor until it becomes liquid

Medical Definition

distillation

noun

dis·​til·​la·​tion ˌdis-tə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: a process that consists of driving gas or vapor from liquids or solids by heating and condensing to liquid products and that is used especially for purification, fractionation, or the formation of new substances

2

: something distilled