dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈa-lə-səs 
plural dialyses
dī-ˈa-lə-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
especially
: such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient affected with kidney failure), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein
called also hemodialysis
Examples of dialysis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The study, by xenotransplant startup eGenesis, will test the safety, tolerability and efficacy of the kidney at 24 weeks after being transplanted into older patients who are on dialysis, are facing end-stage kidney disease or are on the transplant list.
—
Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The only alternative to transplant is dialysis, which has a five-year mortality rate of more than 50%.
—New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
Stewart, an athletic trainer and physical therapist, underwent dialysis three days a week for more than two years.
—Nadia Kounang, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Gutierrez added the family was under immense strain, with Zaragoza's father, who is on dialysis, holding on to hope of seeing his son again, while his stepmother juggles caregiving and medical appointments.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dialysis
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Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The only alternative to transplant is dialysis, which has a five-year mortality rate of more than 50%.
—New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
Stewart, an athletic trainer and physical therapist, underwent dialysis three days a week for more than two years.
—Nadia Kounang, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Gutierrez added the family was under immense strain, with Zaragoza's father, who is on dialysis, holding on to hope of seeing his son again, while his stepmother juggles caregiving and medical appointments.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dialysis
Cite this Entry
“Dialysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dialysis. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈal-ə-səs
plural dialyses
-ə-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through membranes with pores of a specified maximum size
especially
: such a separation of colloids from dissolved substances
2
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a patient with failing kidneys), purifying it by dialysis, and returning it to a vein
Medical Definition
dialysis
noun
di·al·y·sis
dī-ˈal-ə-səs
plural dialyses
-ˌsēz
1
: the separation of substances in solution by means of their unequal diffusion through semipermeable membranes
especially
: such a separation of colloids from soluble substances
2
: either of two medical procedures to remove wastes or toxins from the blood and adjust fluid and electrolyte imbalances by utilizing rates at which substances diffuse through a semipermeable membrane:
a
: the process of removing blood from an artery (as of a kidney patient), purifying it by dialysis, adding vital substances, and returning it to a vein
called also hemodialysis
b
: a procedure performed in the peritoneal cavity in which the peritoneum acts as the semipermeable membrane
called also peritoneal dialysis
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