oxygenate

1 of 2

verb

ox·​y·​gen·​ate ˈäk-si-jə-ˌnāt How to pronounce oxygenate (audio) äk-ˈsi-jə- How to pronounce oxygenate (audio)
oxygenated; oxygenating

transitive verb

: to impregnate, combine, or supply (something, such as blood) with oxygen
oxygenation noun

oxygenate

2 of 2

noun

: an oxygen-containing substance (such as ethanol) used especially in gasoline to promote more complete combustion

Examples of oxygenate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Clearly, the invention of oxygen-producing photosynthesis wasn’t enough by itself to oxygenate the atmosphere. Howard Lee, Ars Technica, 15 May 2023 These structures are like ventilation shafts woven around the sealed cellular compartments, and they are known to play important roles both in photosynthesis and in oxygenating cells. Quanta Magazine, 31 Jan. 2024 The procedure can also cause excess bleeding because people are often given blood thinners to prevent clots, which can clog the ECMO device that oxygenates the blood. Erica Westly, Scientific American, 27 Nov. 2023 Even friends who don’t enjoy wine will get a kick out of watching grape juice twirl through the double spirals, which serve to decant the wine while oxygenating it, resulting in fuller flavors and aromas. Sophie Dodd, Bon Appétit, 20 Nov. 2023 Blood was not efficiently reaching and oxygenating my brain. John Crowley, Harper's Magazine, 8 Dec. 2021 In 2020, Brigham and Women’s saw a number of infections and three patient deaths from the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia, after patients were contaminated from a type of life support known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which oxygenates a person’s blood outside of their body. Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Mar. 2023 The disturbance of the wake oxygenated the water enough for that jubilee to completely dissipate. David Rainer Alabama Department Of Conservation and Natural Resources, al, 10 Aug. 2023 Next, blood is redirected from the extremities to the vital organs, keeping the brain and heart oxygenated longer. Women's Health, 31 July 2023
Noun
To reduce smog, the summer blend is about 20 to 25 cents per gallon more expensive than winter blends because of the oxygenates required in the fuel, and refineries have to briefly shut down before processing it. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2024 Each individual pac contains a powerful blend of pre-measured detergents, oxygenates and rinse aids to eliminate tough food soils while providing a brilliant shine every time. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2023 Over nine days, Leno — whose wife of 42 years, Mavis, slept beside him at The Center — underwent two skin grafting surgeries (one with human cadaver skin and another with pig intestine) to help regenerate new healthy skin, as well as sessions in hyperbaric chambers to help oxygenate tissue. Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2023 It was replaced with MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), an oxygenate. Bob Weber, chicagotribune.com, 21 Oct. 2021 Significant improvement was also seen in three of four patients whose illnesses were so severe they had been placed on a bypass machine to filter, oxygenate and pump their blood. Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2020 Demand was given a boost by the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990, which spurred the use of ethanol as an oxygenate to combat pollution, and the RFS, created in 2005 and expanded two years later. 6. Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2019 Drink a shot of chlorophyll every morning to brighten, oxygenate, and hydrate your skin. Candace Bryan, Good Housekeeping, 4 Sep. 2015 The original premise for using an oxygenate in our gasoline was to improve air quality. star-telegram, 28 Apr. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oxygenate.' 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

Verb

1788, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oxygenate was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near oxygenate

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

oxygenate

verb
ox·​y·​gen·​ate
ˈäk-si-jə-ˌnāt,
äk-ˈsij-ə-
oxygenated; oxygenating
: to combine or supply with oxygen
oxygenation
ˌäk-si-jə-ˈnā-shən
äk-ˌsij-ə-
noun

Medical Definition

oxygenate

transitive verb
ox·​y·​gen·​ate ˈäk-si-jə-ˌnāt How to pronounce oxygenate (audio) äk-ˈsij-ə- How to pronounce oxygenate (audio)
oxygenated; oxygenating
: to impregnate, combine, or supply with oxygen
oxygenated blood
better to oxygenate the patient firstAnesthesia Digest
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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