volatilize

verb

vol·​a·​til·​ize ˈvä-lə-tə-ˌlīz How to pronounce volatilize (audio)
British also
və-ˈla-tə-ˌlīz How to pronounce volatilize (audio)
volatilized; volatilizing

transitive verb

: to make volatile
especially : to cause to pass off in vapor

intransitive verb

: to pass off in vapor
volatilizable
ˈvä-lə-tə-ˌlī-zə-bəl How to pronounce volatilize (audio)
 British also  və-ˈla-tə-ˌlī-
adjective
volatilization
ˌvä-lə-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce volatilize (audio)
 British also  və-ˌla-tə-ˌlī-ˈzā-
noun

Examples of volatilize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For example, some will volatilize and drift with the breeze in warm weather. oregonlive, 3 June 2023 The idea is that this shape allows a wine’s aromatic compounds to volatilize when swirled around in the wider base. Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Feb. 2022 Applications made in the summer months for weed control are very prone to volatilize. oregonlive.com, 9 Aug. 2019 These products tend to volatilize if used in warm weather and can move with the air to affect nearby plants. oregonlive.com, 19 July 2019 And hotter weather, also tied to climate change, causes mercury to volatilize and be released. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 14 June 2019

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

1657, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of volatilize was in 1657

Dictionary Entries Near volatilize

Cite this Entry

“Volatilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volatilize. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

volatilize

verb
vol·​a·​til·​ize
variants also British volatilise
ˈväl-ət-ᵊl-ˌīz, British also və-ˈlat-
volatilized also British volatilised; volatilizing also British volatilising

transitive verb

: to make volatile
especially : to cause to pass off in vapor

intransitive verb

: to pass off in vapor
volatilizable adjective
also British volatilisable
volatilization noun
also British volatilisation
ˌväl-ət-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən, British also və-ˌlat-ᵊl-ˌī-ˈ

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