pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​i·​za·​tion ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpas-tyə-,

-tə-

1

: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (such as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys objectionable organisms without major chemical alteration of the substance

2

: irradiation of food products

Examples of pasteurization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Raw human milk sold online or even provided by a friendly neighbor poses similar risks of foodborne illness and infectious disease than other types of raw milk that have not undergone pasteurization. —Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Cohen: [The] FDA has indicated that our milk supply is safe because of the pasteurization process. —Patrick Jarenwattananon, NPR, 3 Apr. 2024

The pasteurization process inactivates viruses before the product can go to market. —Jen Christensen, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024

The pasteurization process also removes viruses from milk, and properly cooking eggs and poultry kills bacteria and viruses. —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024

The pasteurization process also kills viruses and other bacteria and this process is required for milk that is sold through interstate commerce. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2024

Dairies need to destroy milk from sick cows and pasteurization kills flu viruses. —Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2024

Additionally, pasteurization — which is required for milk entering interstate commerce — kills bacteria and viruses, including influenza. —Joe Hernandez, NPR, 31 Mar. 2024

To date, the technology has been used in the commercial food industry, mainly for pasteurization of liquid and semi-solid foods. —IEEE Spectrum, 8 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​i·​za·​tion ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌpas-tə-

: the process of heating a liquid (as milk) to a temperature high enough and keeping it at that temperature long enough to kill many objectionable germs and then cooling it rapidly without causing a major change in its chemical composition

Medical Definition

pasteurization

noun

pas·​teur·​iza·​tion

variants also British pasteurisation

ˌpas-chə-rə-ˈzā-shən, ˌpas-tə- 

1

: partial sterilization of a substance and especially a liquid (as milk) at a temperature and for a period of exposure that destroys pathogenic microorganisms

2

: partial sterilization of perishable food products (as fruit or poultry) with radiation (as gamma rays emitted by cobalt 60)