hydrolysis

noun

hy·​dro·​ly·​sis hī-ˈdrä-lə-səs How to pronounce hydrolysis (audio)
: a chemical process of decomposition involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion of water
hydrolytic adjective
hydrolytically adverb

Examples of hydrolysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Shoe brand Safety Jogger says that hydrolysis is a leading cause of shoe deterioration, especially in synthetic materials. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025 The electricity is used to split water using hydrolysis technology developed by SunHydro’s 14-year-old parent company, Proton Energy Systems. IEEE Spectrum, 20 Oct. 2010 The culprit was likely hydrolysis, a process that affects shoes stored for long periods without use. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025 However, most glycerin is manufactured using a process called hydrolysis. Carley Millhone, Health, 8 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for hydrolysis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrolysis was in 1880

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hydrolysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrolysis. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

hydrolysis

noun
hy·​drol·​y·​sis
hī-ˈdräl-ə-səs
: a process of breaking down a chemical compound that involves splitting a bond and adding the elements of water to the resulting molecular fragments

Medical Definition

hydrolysis

noun
hy·​dro·​ly·​sis hī-ˈdräl-ə-səs, ˌhī-drə-ˈlī- How to pronounce hydrolysis (audio)
: a chemical process of decomposition involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion of water
hydrolytic adjective
hydrolytically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on hydrolysis

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