oxygenate

1 of 2

verb

ox·​y·​gen·​ate ˈäk-si-jə-ˌnāt  äk-ˈsi-jə- 

oxygenated; oxygenating

transitive verb

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

oxygenation

ˌäk-si-jə-ˈnā-shən 

äk-ˌsi-jə-

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

The heart-lung machine that has evolved over the years circulates and oxygenates blood during open-heart surgery. — Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 20 May 2026

The blood in these capillaries is normally highly oxygenated, and thus quite red. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026

Noun

It can be used to soothe, oxygenate, and de-puff the cheeks, forehead, and chin; use the smaller end to tone the area under the eyes. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2025

It was replaced with MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), an oxygenate. — Bob Weber, chicagotribune.com, 21 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1788, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1958, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oxygenate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

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  äk-ˈsij-ə- 

oxygenated; oxygenating

: to impregnate, combine, or supply with oxygen

oxygenated blood

better to oxygenate the patient first

—Anesthesia Digest

oxygenation

ˌäk-si-jə-ˈnā-shən, äk-ˌsij-ə- 

noun