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

After a more than century-long prohibition, the two entrepreneurs wanted to bring whiskey distillation back to Chattanooga, Tennessee. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

While archival materials in Ade’s exhibition underwent metamorphosis and distillation, Timoteus took a cinematographic approach to archival history. —Hung Duong, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024

The book sizzles in its distillations, is coolly askew in its dark spirals. —Jason Parham, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024

Anyone looking to Manifesto for a distillation of how to bring nuance and understatement to a performance is going to be sorely disappointed. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing distillation

• destructive distillation

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