distillation

noun

dis·​til·​la·​tion ˌdi-stə-ˈlā-shən 

1

a

: the process of purifying a liquid by successive evaporation and condensation

b

: a process like distillation

gradual distillation of the truth

also : an instance of such distilling

2

: something distilled : distillate sense 2

Examples of distillation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Chinese officials and some technology analysts have argued that distillation is not uncommon across the AI industry and is not the main explanation behind Chinese models’ improving capabilities and ability to innovate. — Chan Ho-Him, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Reasoning paths and summaries are techniques some AI developers have used in distillation attacks, in which a model maker trains their technology on another model's outputs. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026

But according to the brand, some rye backset was incorporated into its production, meaning some of the liquid left over from a previous distillation was added to this batch of whiskey. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026

Washington, as well as OpenAI and Anthropic, have alleged that Chinese companies stole American intellectual property by training their models on the outputs of frontier US models, a process known as distillation in the industry. — John Liu, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing distillation

• destructive distillation

Rhymes for distillation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

distillation

noun

dis·​til·​la·​tion ˌdis-tə-ˈlā-shən 

: a process of heating a liquid or solid until it sends off a vapor and then cooling the vapor until it becomes liquid

Medical Definition

distillation

noun

dis·​til·​la·​tion ˌdis-tə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: a process that consists of driving gas or vapor from liquids or solids by heating and condensing to liquid products and that is used especially for purification, fractionation, or the formation of new substances

2

: something distilled