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

Pre-season outings like this one allow a level of experimentation and distillation. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Nvidia, for instance, used distillation as part of the training process for its Llama Nemotron series of models, as detailed in an accompanying research paper. — Kif Leswing,jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 25 July 2026

Distillation sparks dispute The letter also challenges calls to restrict AI distillation, a technique that trains one model using another model’s outputs. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026

The terms and conditions of most AI vendors prohibit distillation but legal experts say the tactic is a legal gray area rather than a clear case of IP theft. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 24 July 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