electrolyze

verb

elec·​tro·​lyze i-ˈlek-trə-ˌlīz How to pronounce electrolyze (audio)
electrolyzed; electrolyzing

transitive verb

: to subject to electrolysis

Examples of electrolyze in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Meanwhile, hydrogen gas is obtained on-site by electrolyzing water (H2O), separating the hydrogen (used by the reactor) from the oxygen, which is cleanly released. Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 3 Mar. 2023 Blast furnaces, supplied by ultra-heavyweight transportation, from a place with endless amounts of sun and wind make the vision of sprawling solar arrays and towering turbines electrolyzing water to isolate and liquefy carbon look financially viable. Kevin O'Marah, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023 To decarbonize the ammonia-making process, electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, is used to electrolyze water, yielding hydrogen (as well as oxygen). IEEE Spectrum, 23 Feb. 2021 As Steiner explained, the e-fuel plant will use wind power to electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2022 The efuel-making process at Haru Oni starts by capturing CO2 from the air and using wind power to electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 6 Apr. 2022 However, many countries, including the UK, Norway, Japan, and France, are building hydrogen production facilities that use renewable energy sources to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen. Vikram Mittal, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2021 Also, electric current running through the seawater would electrolyze it, producing a traceable trail of gas bubbles, particularly chlorine. Abe Dane, Popular Mechanics, 14 Jan. 2021 The bottle is charged for six minutes to electrolyze it, creating a solution that looks like water but is a mix of hypochlorous acid (a powerful disinfectant) and sodium hydroxide (which works as a detergent and cuts through grease). Janelle Nanos, BostonGlobe.com, 20 June 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'electrolyze.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of electrolyze was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near electrolyze

Cite this Entry

“Electrolyze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electrolyze. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

electrolyze

transitive verb
elec·​tro·​lyze
variants or British electrolyse
electrolyzed or British electrolysed; electrolyzing or British electrolysing
: to subject to electrolysis
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