hydrolysis

noun

hy·​dro·​ly·​sis hī-ˈdrä-lə-səs 

: a chemical process of decomposition involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion of water

hydrolytic

ˌhī-drə-ˈli-tik 

adjective

hydrolytically

ˌhī-drə-ˈli-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of hydrolysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Partially broken down from collagen through hydrolysis. — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 26 June 2026

Alkaline hydrolysis — using water for cremation Alkaline hydrolysis is also supposed to mimic and speed up natural decomposition. — Dorany Pineda, Fortune, 2 May 2026

The sustainable funeral arrangement has prompted the Law Commission to consider similar regulatory frameworks for both hydrolysis and human composting across England and Wales. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026

When metabolized by the beetles, the spruce sugars are removed through hydrolysis, converting them into aglycones that are even more toxic to microscopic invaders. — Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hydrolysis

• alkaline hydrolysis

Rhymes for hydrolysis

• autolysis
• cytolysis
• glycolysis
• haemolysis
• lipolysis
• photolysis
• pyrolysis
• thermolysis
• electrolysis
• fibrinolysis
• radiolysis
• glycogenolysis

Kids Definition

hydrolysis

noun

hy·​drol·​y·​sis

hī-ˈdräl-ə-səs

: a process of breaking down a chemical compound that involves splitting a bond and adding the elements of water to the resulting molecular fragments

Medical Definition

hydrolysis

noun

hy·​dro·​ly·​sis hī-ˈdräl-ə-səs, ˌhī-drə-ˈlī- 

: a chemical process of decomposition involving the splitting of a bond and the addition of the hydrogen cation and the hydroxide anion of water

hydrolytic

ˌhī-drə-ˈlit-ik 

adjective

hydrolytically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb