pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​i·​za·​tion ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpas-tyə-,

-tə-

1

: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (such as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys objectionable organisms without major chemical alteration of the substance

2

: irradiation of food products

Examples of pasteurization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The risks of bird flu The FDA notes that one increasingly common pathogen removed from raw milk during the pasteurization process is H5N1. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024

Multiple studies have demonstrated that pasteurization, the process of heating milk for a short period of time, inactivates the virus. —Dani Blum, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2024

Several studies have shown that commercial pasteurization — using heat to treat milk — inactivates the virus, making milk that’s safe for consumption. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 6 Dec. 2024

Raw milk has not undergone pasteurization processes to remove salmonella, E. coli, listeria and other potentially harmful bacteria and viruses, including bird flu. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​i·​za·​tion ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpas-tə-

: the process of heating a liquid (as milk) to a temperature high enough and keeping it at that temperature long enough to kill many objectionable germs and then cooling it rapidly without causing a major change in its chemical composition

Medical Definition

pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​iza·​tion

variants also British pasteurisation

ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən, ˌpas-tə- 

1

: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys pathogenic microorganisms

2

: partial sterilization of perishable food products (as fruit or poultry) with radiation (as gamma rays emitted by cobalt 60)