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

In stable operation, online process analyzers measure salt in crude, water content, total acid number, distillation curve, vapor pressure and other key quality parameters to improve efficiency, protect equipment and reduce product giveaway. — Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

That could make conducting distillation attacks pointless, Anthropic suggested. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2026

Some pastimes are distractions, some are distortions, and some few are true distillations—refining a city or a place or a community to its essence, deliciously sipped by all. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 June 2026

Modifying membrane structure Every single day, standard crude oil refining uses the thermal distillation method. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 June 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