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

Since then, the implementation of vacuum distillation — which separates alcohol and other compounds from wine — has allowed for better preservation of the original character. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026

Alibaba also appeared to have engaged in more than 151 million distillation activities between May and July 2026. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

But Gibney’s distillation of this story into a single viewing experience creates a damning portrait of an emotionally unstable individual with the levers of power in his hand and no evident moral compass. — Sheelah Kolhatkar, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

The person declined to comment on whether Ukraine is specifically targeting desalting and distillation units but said Ukrainian forces were generally targeting hard-to-repair parts of refineries. — Jarrett Ley, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 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